Barbara E. Schwartz, a former teacher in Manhattan who lived in East Hampton for 20 years, died at home on Settlers Landing Lane on Aug. 31. Laura Benjamin, her partner of 47 years, was with her. The cause was cancer. Ms. Schwartz, who was 76, had been ill for six months.
“She changed young people’s lives,” Ms. Benjamin said. “She was remarkable. That was where she shined, a highly intelligent and educated person who liked to impart her knowledge in an easy and casual way so that you wanted to listen and learn.”
The Brooklyn College graduate was a teacher at P.S. 6, the Lillie Devereaux Blake School on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, which is regarded as a top elementary school in New York City. The New York Times wrote of the school on its centennial that it “draws from a wide and demographically diverse population, and none of its teachers get paid more than teachers at any other public school. Its success over the last century is clearly worth celebrating and worth studying.”
Ms. Schwartz and Ms. Benjamin, who was also a teacher in New York, met at what was then known as Asparagus Beach in Amagansett. “We were out there looking for husbands,” Ms. Benjamin said, “and found each other.” They married on Aug. 21, 2011.
She was an enthusiastic skier and tennis player, and a poor golfer, Ms. Benjamin said with a laugh. “She was an inspiration to both colleagues and students whom she touched. She carried joy and energy in a knapsack on her back.” She “will be remembered for the mischievous twinkle in her eye,” Ms. Benjamin added.
Ms. Schwartz was born on April 3, 1946, in Brooklyn to Milton Schwartz and the former Myra Benson, and grew up there.
In addition to Ms. Benjamin, Ms. Schwartz is survived by her sister-in-law, Carole Kasmin of Manhattan, her brother-in-law, Steve Benjamin of Fort Collins, Colo., and her brother, Ronald Schwartz of Florida. A number of nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and great-nephews also survive.
Shiva was observed at Ms. Schwartz and Ms. Benjamin’s Manhattan residence on Tuesday and yesterday. A graveside service was held at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus, N.J., on Tuesday.
Visitors will be welcomed at Ms. Benjamin’s East Hampton house tomorrow from 2 to 7 p.m.
Ms. Benjamin has suggested memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org or P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, Md. 21741.
