Ada Schwartz

Ada Elizabeth (Liz) Schwartz, 95, of Boonsboro, Maryland, passed away Monday, December 22, 2014 at her home at Fahrney Keedy Village.  Born September 1, 1919, in Quincy, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Ethyl and Clyde Schwartz.  Having never married, she is survived by four loving nephews, and 12 great nieces and nephews.  She was closest to her life long, best friend, coworker, and confidant, Ginger Omdahl, with who she shared may life events.

Aunt Betty, as she was known to the children of her sisters, Mary Jacobs and Jean Newlon, had an amazing, accomplished life.  Having obtained her undergraduate degree from Culver Stockton College in Illinois during the Depression and graduate degree from University of Illinois in library science in 1943, she went on to have a remarkable career as an Army librarian.  She served in increasingly responsible positions at many overseas Army posts in the Far East and Europe, including the Philippines, Okinawa, Korea, Japan, France, and Germany, rising to the top position of Director of the Army Special Services Library Program in Washington, DC.  She was instrumental in creating a career program that enabled all Army librarians to have a career path.  She was a strong, independent woman and good leader, looking out for the needs of Army librarians at more than 400 libraries throughout the world.

Liz maintained a very active life style and thirst for knowledge until her passing.  She was an avid gardener, loved history particularly Civil War history, attended Washington ballets, operas, and symphonies, worked out at the gym, and volunteered for many years with Washington County Meals on Wheels.  She has traveled throughout the world and would go anywhere, anytime friends or family asked.  As a librarian, she was, of course, an avid reader and her home is filled with her precious books that she collected throughout her lifetime.

The family would like to thank the Hospice of Washington County for their support and loving care during the last months of her life.  She will be interred with her parents in Hebron Cemetery in Golden, Illinois.