MT Elizabeth Schwartz

MT Elizabeth Schwartz was born in Columbus, OH on April 25, 1962. She returned to Spirit on January 27, 2020 at Riverside Hospital in Columbus surrounded by family and friends after almost four years of doing her best to kick her cancer's butt. She is predeceased by her mother Barbara Ann (Schwartz) Johnson and father Wayne Howell Johnson; uncle Don Schwartz, brother Steve Schwartz and his wife Jennifer Schwartz. She is survived by her wife and partner of 34 years, Mary Ann Binder; sister Margarita Johnson (nieces Jamie and Jessica Reed), brother Matthew Johnson, nephews Derek Adam Schwartz (wife Kalie and son Asher) and Bryan Schwartz, step-sons Jeremy and Jesse Binder. MT is also survived by the family closest to her heart - Sandra Overstreet who was like a second mother to her - and her children Ron Overstreet and Stacy Overstreet with their children.

After graduating from Olentangy High School, MT attended the Ohio State University and graduated with a BS in Education. She also trained as an EMT and volunteered with the Minerva Park Fire Department. She worked for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction at their training academy as an instructor and then as a supervisor before transferring to the Ohio Department of Youth Services to head their training academy. During this time she also worked as a contract consultant for the Department of Justice and traveled around the country training law enforcement and corrections personnel. Some of her favorite assignments included Maine, Utah and Bermuda. MT was forced to retire from working in 2013 due to declining health.

MT was a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts and often credited her experiences in the organization for making her the person she remained through life. As a girl member she was active in the Emergency Preparedness for Youth program among many others. As an adult she volunteered with Girl Scout Council programs for girls and helped train adult volunteers. Through the Girl Scouts she also became involved with Special Olympics as an official for the Softball Throw event at the Summer Games at OSU. The event is run by Girl Scout youth and adult volunteers.

As an avid learner, MT pursued all things metaphysical. She also became active in her Jewish faith and studied for over a year for her Bat Mitzvah held on August 16, 2019. She was a member of both Temple Israel and Beth Tikvah Synagogues. On Monday mornings she attended a class to study the Torah with Rabi Cary Kozberg who became a dear friend.

Animals were MT's lifelong passion. She is missed by her dog Dixie and Rhino Iguana Ischa (known to all at the All Ohio Reptile Show!). Her love for reptiles also led her to volunteer with the Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion where she helped teacher Carrie Heimlich add reptiles to the animals studied and cared for in the Vet Tech program. MT had been working with students there on their senior projects at the time of her passing.

To honor MT's wish to have a Jewish burial but be interred with her family at a Catholic Cemetery, Cantor Bat-Ami Moses will officiate at a graveside service at 11:30 am on Monday February 3, 2020 at St. Joseph's Cemetery just south of Columbus, 6440 S. High St., Lockbourne, OH 43137. Later in the day there will be a Celebration of MT's Life from 5 pm - 7 pm at the Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, 6699 N. High St., Worthington, OH 43085. All are welcome to attend and share stories and memories of MT. And of course, there will be Girl Scout Cookies!