Linda Schwartz

Linda Schwartz was born July 9, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She passed away on February 26, 2025. But those are just dates and dashes. But it was what she accomplished between those dashes that truly told us about who Linda was. 

 She had a mother that got things done. Her mother Ruth, accomplished things most couldn’t do in their lifetime. In the face of adversity and dire straits, Ruth did what she had to do to succeed. And succeed, Ruth did.

 This desire and drive was definitely passed on to Linda. When people told Linda something was impossible, she’d simply say, “Watch me.” 

 Linda was going to marry Calvin Schwartz, but her mother made her finish her education first and get her teaching degree. This achievement set her up for everything she would accomplish in the next 60 years. 

 Linda did marry Calvin Schwartz on August 11, 1963. She subsequently worked hard to become the best teacher she could possibly be. 

 Then her life changed dramatically. She had her son, Mitchel who was Autistic and non verbal. There were no existing education programs for him. Most didn’t know what to do with him. Some doctors and psychiatrists suggested institutionalizing Mitchel.

 But they didn’t know Linda. She had to dig down and work harder than she’d ever worked before to make sure Mitchel had programs and a future that didn’t exist. 

 First, she decided that Mitch should have a Bar-Mitzvah. Most said that couldn’t be done because he couldn’t speak. Mitchel had his Bar-Mitzvah to the delight and amazement of onlookers at the Synagogue. She refused to take no for an answer. It was, to her, as simple as that.

 She learned that there were no programs for Autistic people to graduate from high school. They simply didn’t exist. She decided she would meet with state representatives at the local and even the state level to create programs for children with Autism. 

 It took years, and many many battles, but Linda never gave up. It just wasn’t in her nature. Mitchel was the first person to graduate in Council Rock’s Autistic program. 

 But then what? There weren’t any programs for Autistic people after they turned 21. She was able to get Mitchel into BARC—Bucks County Association for Retarted Citizens. Mitchel was Autistic. They explained they weren’t able to accommodate his disability.

 Now, they do. You couldn’t explain to Linda that that could not be done. 

 Linda then bettered herself through her education and her teaching experience. She received a Master’s equivalent degree and moved up the ladder as a special education teacher for Socially and Emotionally Disturbed children. These were some of the toughest classes to teach in the state. So many others quit or changed careers. They told her these kids couldn’t learn.

 Maybe they shouldn’t have told her that. Linda taught those children for 31 years and earned many accolades…then finally retired…to the dismay of her principal and coworkers. They begged her to stay. She had become a mentor for so many other teachers. 

 While Linda worked hard teaching, she was able to raise her three children with the same core desires and drive to succeed, under any circumstances, that she had. 

 Even at the end of her life’s journey, she continued to rehab herself. She would not sit and be idle. Linda did what she had to do. Never give up. Never say it can’t be done. 

 I do believe she made her mother proud.

 Linda is survived by her children, Eric (Candi) and Stewart (Ilene), her grandchildren: Jacob, Jonathan, Noah, Amanda and Emma. She is preceded in death by her husband Calvin, her son Mitchel and her mother, Ruth.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions to BARC Production Center and the Autistic Society of America are greatly appreciated.

Relatives and friends are invited to Graveside Services Friday, February 28 at 1:00 pm precisely at Montefiore Cemetery (Sec. 22), 600 Church Rd, Jenkintown PA 19046. Shiva will follow at Stewart’s residence. Donations in her memory may be made to BARC Developmental Services, www.barcprograms.org or to Autism Society www.autismsociety.org