Obituary: Harriet Schwartz, 87, Plainview Teacher

Harriet Schwartz, a long-time resident of Plainview and revered elementary school teacher in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District, died last week at North Shore  University Hospital Plainview of complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She was 87. 

“She was as inspiring and committed teacher, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother; “ said her son, Alan Schwartz, of Dix Hills, an attorney in Garden City, “She fought with commitment and determination for women's rights and Title IX in the late 1970's and early 1980's.” 

Title IX is the landmark 1972 federal legislation requiring equality for girls and women in education.

Born Harriet Schenk in Manhattan to Bess Ornstein and Abraham Schenk on Jan. 23, 1924, she grew up in Far Rockaway and received a B.S. in Education and a Master’s degree in Education from Queens College. 

She met her husband, Walter, who survives her, at a sweet sixteen party both attended. They married in 1943 and lived in Plainview for 45 years. 

Mrs. Schwartz taught at the Manetto Hill, Oak Drive, and Jamaica Avenue schools in Plainview. She also was an officer of the Plainview teachers union. 

In addition to her husband of 68 years and her son, Mrs. Schwartz is survived by daughter-in-law Riva Schwartz, grandson Robbie Schwartz, all of Dix Hills; daughter Carole Schwartz, son-in-law Robert Vonick and grandsons Bradley and Jason Vonick of Wilton, Conn., and a sister,  Edie Ross, formerly of Muttontown. 

Funeral services were held last week at Guterman's in Woodbury. Burial followed at Wellwood Cemetery in Farmingdale. The family observed Shiva at the home of Walter Schwartz last week.

The family requested that, in lieu of food or flowers, donations be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Ave., Miami, FL 33136-1494.