Rosalyn "Roz" Schwartz

Beloved wife of Jerrold Schwartz; devoted mother of Aaron and Jeremy Schwartz; loving sister of Jerry (Judy), Mike, and the late Stewart Bailenson; and sister-in-law of Stephen (Bunny) Schwartz and David (Darlene) Schwartz. Dedicated daughter of the late Ruth Silberman and the late Albert Bailenson. Adored aunt, cousin, and cherished friend to many.

Rozzie grew up in a close-knit family surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who were a constant presence in her life. She grew up in St. Louis, graduating from Ladue High School in 1967 before attending the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Elementary Guidance Counseling. While student teaching in St. Louis, she was set up on a date with Jerry by her Aunt Julie—the beginning of a 53-year marriage.

Roz taught elementary school for many years. She later worked side by side with Jerry running their laundromats, most notably Soulard Soap, which they owned for 35 years before retiring in 2023. With a deep commitment to helping others, they opened their doors twice a month to provide free laundry services to the unhoused community. Roz was the warm, welcoming face of Soulard Soap, where customers felt more like friends.

Her generosity extended beyond her work. For 14 years, she volunteered at Delmar Gardens Chesterfield, where her mother lived, leading arts and crafts and brightening residents’ days. She expressed her creativity through handmade beaded jewelry and accessories sold at craft fairs that filled many of her weekends.

Above all, Roz’s greatest joy was being a mother. She was a steady source of strength, an enthusiastic cheerleader, and the biggest groupie of Aaron’s rock band. One of many examples of her devotion to her children came in the early 1980s, when they could not find a preschool that met their family’s needs; she and a friend established The Early Childhood Program at Shaare Zedek, which still thrives more than 40 years later.

Roz was an anchor in her large extended family, deeply loving each and every relative. She treasured her many longtime friendships while always welcoming new ones, and had the rare gift of making everyone feel genuinely loved.

In recent years, Roz faced dementia with grace and warmth. At the J Adult Day Care, she was known for greeting everyone with a smile and helping others throughout the day. Even after a fall caused a traumatic brain injury, her ability to smile remained—a lasting reflection of how she lived.

Visitation Friday, April 17th at 2 PM at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, followed by funeral service at 2:30 PM. Interment immediately follows at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the charity of your choice.