Ida Rabinowitz Schwartz

She Put A Smile On Your Face


Ida Rabinowitz Schwartz was known in the Charleston community as the person who ensured a smile on your face whether at life's significant occasions, community activities or family gatherings. Her vitality was contagious among friends, family and anyone she met.

Born May 14, 1922, the oldest of five children of Rosalie and Louis Rabinowitz, Mrs. Schwartz, known to her loved ones as Ida, was reared in Charleston, SC with her sisters Faye and Elsa, brothers Ben and Mervin and cousin Miriam Brenner. In her early years she lived with her family and extended family as part of the St. Phillip Street community in downtown Charleston with summers spent at the family beach home on Sullivan's Island. As a young woman, she attended the University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston. During World War II she worked at the Port of Embarkation in North Charleston where she met Army sergeant Louis Schwartz, a staff photographer.

For many years Ida was part of a well-known photography duo at their Schwartz Photography Studio on King Street capturing the spirit of weddings, debutante parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Christenings, individual portraits and community events. Louis focused the camera while Ida ensured the expressions on clients' faces warranted a lifelong keepsake. They became known as the best commercial photographers in Charleston. The husband and wife team also documented the city's history through progressive restoration photos of significant historic houses in both Charleston and Savannah for HABS, Historic American Building Survey archives in Washington, DC.

Ida supported the community in many ways as an elementary school "class-mother", co-leader of her sons' cub scouts packs, directing plays for Jewish community organizations, and later chairing the Social Activities Committee for her home at Sherman House, finding any excuse for a party.

Beyond her love for her community, Ida inspired endless smiles among her family in every generation. Each family member has cherished memories of reading bedtime stories with her, of her putting on fashion shows at the beach house, and of late night, bingo and card games. She often said that she was a rich woman—her wealth being her large and close-knit family and many lifelong friends.

Ida Schwartz, 90, died on August 31, 2012, with her daughters by her side. Burial will be at Brith Shalom-Beth Israel Synagogue Cemetery "Maryville" in Charleston. Services will be graveside at 11:00 AM on Sunday, September, 2nd. Shiva will be held Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at the Schwartz/Witcher home at 2607 Hartnett Blvd., Isle of Palms 29451.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sherman House Rabinowitz Fund, 1635 Raoul Wallenberg Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29407.

Ida was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Louis. Beloved survivors include four children, Stephen and Martin Schwartz of Atlanta, GA and Lynda Schwartz and her husband, Bob Witcher and Les Schwartz of Charleston; four granddaughters, Erin Schwartz and her husband, Eric Ozretich and Lindsay Sanders and her husband, Michael Sanders of Seattle, WA and Stephanie Witcher Sayman and her husband, Andrew Sayman and Rebecca Witcher of Atlanta, GA; two sisters, Faye Olasov of Charleston and Elsa Raven of Hollywood, CA; and sisters-in-law, Lynne Rabinowitz of Atlanta, GA and Ruth Schwartz of Ventura, CA; and four great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank Lutheran Hospice of Charleston for the wonderful care and support given to Mrs. Schwartz and her family in the last days of her life.

Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.