Obituary of Goldie Brenner Swartz

Goldie Brenner Swartz, 79, of Longboat Key, Florida, formerly of New City, NY, passed away on June 1, 2010 after a brief illness. Goldie was born in Brooklyn, NY, on August 16, 1930, the second daughter of Max and Clara Brenner. She grew up in Amsterdam, NY, where she graduated high school at the age of 16 as salutatorian of her high school class and editor of her high school newspaper. She attended and graduated from Albany State Teachers College (now SUNY Albany). She married Howard Swartz on September 3, 1950, and lived in the Albany area until 1964 when she moved to Rockland County, New York, and settled in New City, New York in 1965. She taught fifth grade in the Clarkstown School System from 1965 through 1989, when she retired and moved to Longboat Key, Florida where she lived for the remainder of her life. Goldie was an active bicycle rider often riding up to 40 miles a day and going on several major bicycle trips in the United States and in Europe. After Howard lost most of his sight, they would ride a tandem bike for miles with Goldie in front. She also loved to swim, exercise on all types of exercise equipment, go for long walks on the beach, and attend musical and cultural performances in New York and Sarasota, Florida. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, including attending annual family reunions and entertaining at her home on Longboat Key. She was also extremely proud of establishing with Howard the Goldie Brenner Swartz and Howard Swartz Scholarship Fund at SUNY Albany which provides scholarship assistance to disabled students, primarily to students with vision impairments. The scholarship has assisted many students who would otherwise have been unable to complete their undergraduate studies. Goldie is survivied by her husband Howard of Longboat Key, Florida, son Mark and wife Iris of New City, NY, son Barry and wife Karen of Clarence, New York, grandsons Michael Swartz, Adam Swartz and Jonathan Campbell, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her beloved sister Doris Alter. Funeral services will be held at Temple Beth El, 415 Viola Road, Spring Valley, NY on June 4, 2010 at 10:30 A.M., with interment to follow at the Congregation Beth Emeth Cemetery in Loudonville, NY at 3:00pm.. A period of mourning will be held at the home of Mark and Iris Swartz, 35 Ruth Drive, New City, NY. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Swartz Scholarship Fund by making checks payable to The University at Albany Foundation, UAB 226, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, and indicating Swartz Scholarship in the memo portion of the check.