Martha Schwartz Birch

Martha Helen Maxwell Pressley Schwartz Birch, age 83, Most recently of Lewis Center, Ohio, previously lived in Jacksonville, Florida; Stow, Ohio; Miami, Florida. Preceded in death by parents, Audrey Cotten and Bill Pressley; husbands, Clarence Schwartz, Harry Birch and brother, W. Ed Pressley. Survived by sons, Michael Schwartz (Kat Gale), David Schwartz, daughters, Kathy (Dave) Thomason, Betsy (Dale) Harmon, Susan Birch. Grandchildren, Stayce (Jeff) Koegler, Chrystin Scheetz, Matthew McKinney, Eric Frady, Evan Frady, Grant Frady, sister, Nita Pressley, and great-grandchildren, Sarah and Max Koegler, several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11am Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Knollwood Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. M Miami born and raised. Martha attended the Florida College for Women. Her brother, Bud, and sister, Nita, remained in the south while Martha relocated to Ohio, married Clarence and had two sons, Michael and David. But she never forgot her southern roots. When Dave T joined the family, she honored her fellow Floridian with a presentation of steamed okra at his first family Thanksgiving. We all chuckled as we watched him “enjoy” this southern delicacy. A Artist. Martha loved and appreciated art of all types, but nature was her favorite palate. She was inspired by nature. Her flower gardens were amazing and she spent hours perfecting their beauty. Later in life she discovered a love for painting in water colors. She and Harry shared a love for fine art. They amassed an eclectic collection over the years, of Ora Anderson carved birds, Don Drumm pieces, Charles Bragg graphics, and many, many more. R Realtor Extraordinaire. Martha was a HARD WORKER. In an era when men dominated most professions, Martha was a force to be reckoned with. She was not the weaker sex. Whether collecting “top sales” awards or becoming a broker and opening her own business, those around her struggled to keep up her pace. She was a fierce supporter of professional women, always choosing to work with female accountants, attorneys and mortgage brokers when possible. T Teacher. Martha never stopped learning and never stopped teaching. She entered the lives of the Birches and taught us how to show emotion and love. She taught her granddaughter, Chrystin, how to question the status quo and think critically. She taught all of her grandchildren to love and respect nature. She taught women everywhere that they were in charge of their destiny and could do whatever they wanted to do. H Harry’s best friend. Martha and Harry had a strong bond. They found each other just when they needed each other. They shared a love for so many things; poetry and literature, music and dancing; Blossom Music Center in the summer; traveling- especially to out of the way places, and Bed & Breakfast Inns. Friday nights, watching “Washington Week in Review” on PBS was sacred time, when they discussed and debated the news of the week. Dinners at Stow’s Silver Pheasant were a regular treat. Together they discovered the Unitarian Church, appreciating the intellectual approach and fine music. Martha and Harry loved the time they spent together and cherished each other’s company, wit and intellect. A Adventurous. When everyone else heard “it can’t be done”, Martha heard “Go for it!” After Clarence died, she joined the South Shore Yacht Club and sailed Puff, their 21 foot sailboat on Turkey Foot Lake in Akron. She had grandsons, Matt, Eric and Evan at her house for a week, when they were young, ignoring all the “rules” and having fun. She took Chrystin on trips to Ireland and England. Martha never met a stranger. She loved people and would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. She’d invite people she met along the way over for dinner. Martha enjoyed life to the fullest. She was one of a kind and lived life on her own terms. No apologies, no regrets, just enthusiasm and love.

Martha Schwartz Birch

December 12, 2013