Grace M. Schwartz

Grace M. Schwartz passed away peacefully in her daughter's hometown, surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday Dec 18, 2022. While her friends and family mourn her passing, we celebrate her beautiful life which was filled with friendship, love and meaningful work.

Born in Kentucky to James and Sallie Mae Cox she shared her early life and enduring bond with her sister Barbara and brother Ralph. She was very proud to share she was a student of Indianapolis Arsenal Technical College now a high school in Indiana. This school has a rich history. Last year she was honored Senior Student Graduate of the school. The campus originally served as a U.S. Civil War era arsenal from 1864 until 1903 when it closed following the Spanish-American War. The arsenal consisted of a foundry for the manufacturing of small arms and field pieces, a gun-carriage house for the storage of field artillery, and a stable.

Federal troops occupied the arsenal until the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1904 group of citizens purchased the 75 acre state and federal arsenal grounds on Michigan avenue to establish a technical training school. The 75 acre campus is listed in the National Register of Places.

Arsenal Tech College enriched her life and brought her great joy throughout the years. After schooling, she worked for Eli Lilly American Pharmaceuticals in Indiana. Grace meet her husband in Indiana, married in May of 1942, moved to California, and established her young family. Grace was the caring and committed wife of Richard (Dick) Grandville Lesher. Dick and Grace owned a Flooring and Linoleum business in La Habra, he was known for his gift of beautiful work Flash-coving. He did a lot of work in Beverly Hills and was hired by Bing Crosby and Wallace Berry to name a few.

During the summer when the children were out of school they would pack everyone up, drive to Green Creek, and camp in an old Army tent all summer. This area is near Bridgeport, California. Grace liked fishing, shooting guns, and camp cooking. After the death of the father of her children, she worked as a pharmacy assistant for Paul Ramsey in Los Angeles. She was now raising a family on her own. Then she transferred to UCLA campus hospital "in and out" pharmacy. The children grown, she moved to Hollywood from Whittier.

Dr. Godshall was her best friend. He and Denny Glass, founder of Catalina Clothing, had their group of friends always playing cribbage card games. Dr. Godshall gave her a beautiful French Provincial villa home to live in as long as she wanted.

After her daughter settled in Nevada City, CA, Grace wanted to settle near her. Her love for her adored daughter was without limit. She always stayed close to her friends near or far. She relocated to Northern California opened up a Fine Home Decor boutique "Heirlooms of Tomorrow." There she met William P. Schwartz. They married and travelled extensively all over the world; Europe mostly. One day she was cleaning out the basement, she found papers and boxes, some of them 50 years old, and found the whole story behind the beginning of CSEA California School Employee's Association.

Bill was a lawyer by trade who worked for years for Crystal Dairy in the Sacramento valley, CA. He had a great interest in supporting the labor union employees of the schools in California. Grace had a love for organization. After going through boxes of papers she found that Bill was the founding father of CSEA. Grace got things right. She helped Bill carry out the legacy. Married for many years, she adored and loved Bill until his death.

Grace continued to travel and got involved with family genealogy.

Her son-in-law, David W. Kopp, is a sensitive and a masterful organizer, who took on the role of providing compassionate support on all aspects of arranging the funeral, ensuring everything is managed to the highest processional standards. You only have one chance to get it right and he did it.

She has left behind a beautiful family.

Her children: Christopher Lesher, Elaine Kopp, Michael Lesher, Steven Lesher and many grandchildren.

The grandchildren are:

Sarah, Jacob, David, and Kristopher Kopp.

Rebecca, Stephanie, Sally, Stacy, and Michael Lesher.

The great-grandchildren are:

Selena, Sofia Moore, and Tristan, Scarlet, Travis, and Luke Kopp.

We are deeply saddened by her passing. Grace remained close to many dear friends that shared her life over the years. These varied relationships, some beginning in Kentucky, to mention a few, Rita and John Koger, Judy and Robert Koger, all the Koger clan, Lexie and Jerry Huff, the Hubbard family, Jill and Barbara Willits, Pete and Peggy neighbors, Barbara Sercey, Rosie Brown, Linda Johnson, Ernesto, Michael Saba, Kit Cooper, the Carson's, Nancy Jenkins, Robert and Stephanie Zoellner, David and Sharon Zoellner, Cecilia and Debbie Zoellner, Batina and Erica from Germany. Cheris Hollingshead, Theresa and Jeff Cummings, Sandy and John Sloan, Father Brendon McKeefry, Betty and Jerry Cleveland.

The Kopp, Schwartz, and Lesher families are sincerely grateful for the entire staff and team of caregivers from Golden Empire Convalescent Hospital in Grass Valley for the loving attention given to Grace during her last 99 3/4 years, especially Melissa, Jen, Sherry, Sarra, Sabrina and, Grace at the front desk, whose kindness and compassion sustained Grace and her family during the toughest days. In accordance with Graces wishes a private service will take place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions be made to the CSEA-San Jose, California to help continue their very important work for the California School employees.

A private burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery followed by a memorial service open to all guests who wish to attend on March 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home.