On the afternoon of January 13, 2021, Leabelle ‘Lea’ (Roggendorff) Schwartz passed away peacefully surrounded by her children. She was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished friend.
Lea grew up on a farm in northeastern Kansas where she learned the value of hard work and an appreciation for living in harmony with the land. She was an excellent student, a stalwart protector of her three younger siblings, and a devoted daughter who was equally adept at helping her mother can vegetables as she was at helping her father herd cattle on horseback. By the age of 12 she was driving her family’s Model T to town to pick up supplies.
She was passionate about classical music and throughout her life performed in choruses, played piano and even picked up the cello after her high school orchestra leader recruited her for her excellent musical ear, strong hands (farm work) and tall stature.
She eventually made her way to Fort Collins where she became a pillar of the community. She taught at Foothills Gateway, Colorado State University, founded the Women’s Symphony Guild and co-founded the Women’s Resource Center.
She earned two Master's degrees, one from Kansas State University and the other from Colorado State University. After working in marketing communications for NCR, AT&T and Symbios Logic, she opened her own public relations firm, Point Public Relations. She ended her professional life at the age of 80, capping a long and successful career. A devotion to productivity, making a positive impact and hard work were hallmarks of her life.
Lea met every challenge with unwavering courage and resolve. She held herself to the highest standards and was incapable of dishonesty or unkindness. She loved peonies, the Rocky Mountains, classical music, every shade of blue and her family and friends. For her children she was the North Star - always there to clean up the mess, help with math, dry the tears, support, advise and warm us with her beautiful smile. She was an exceptional woman who was elegant without trying to be, who lived her life with grace and dignity, and set an example for us all. She will live on in our hearts forever.
Lea is survived by her sister Phyllis Smith of Fort Worth, Texas, her brother, David Roggendorff (Bonnie) of Huntsville, Alabama, her daughters, Lana Higginbotham (Edwin) of Atlanta, Georgia and Lisa Schwartz of Fort Collins, and her son Eric Schwartz (Patrick) of Denver, as well as two grand-children and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Leah and her brother George (Bertha).
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor her life and memory, make a contribution in her name to an Alzheimer's/Dementia research or support foundation, the American Diabetes Association or the Fort Collins Symphony.
A celebration of Lea's life is planned for Sept. 12, 2021. Details will be shared as they become available.
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