Renée Gayle Schwartz

Renée Gayle Schwartz was born in Philadelphia on April 28, 1945, to Jean Yeres Orgiefsky and Philip Orgiefsky. Renée was the middle of three daughters, sandwiched between Sandra (Sandy) and Joye. She shared a special, lifelong bond with Sandy after growing up sharing a bedroom with only a double-sized bed.

After graduating from Northeast High School in February 1963, Renée met her future husband, Stephen C. Schwartz, at the age of 18 on a blind date set up by Esther Russin. They married on August 29, 1965, and they would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this year.

Renée loved her family and friends, but she adored and prioritized her children (Robbie and Craig) and grandchildren (Ariel, Jonah, Mallory, and Garrett) beyond all else. Whenever one of them would call, she would stop whatever she was doing or say goodbye to whomever else she was speaking to because (as she would say), “My kids come first.”

Renée was a true extrovert, starting conversations and making friends with complete strangers; from her local bank teller to the pharmacy technician to the person standing behind her at the supermarket checkout line, no one was immune from Renée’s big smile and infectious, child-like enthusiasm for life. She found other people innately fascinating and truly relished hearing their stories and learning about their lives. She loved animals, especially dogs, always stopping to say “hi” to every dog who crossed her path.

Renée loved playing mah jongg and canasta with her many friends in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Scottsdale, Arizona. Her favorite day was her birthday, April 28th, and she wasn’t shy about it—sharing with everyone she encountered, “Today is my birthday!” and taking advantage of every birthday freebie offered.

But most of all, “Née” (as Ariel and Jonah called her) or “Née-Née” (as Mallory and Garrett referred to her) or “Ren” (as Stephen, Sandy, Joye, and all her close friends called her) will be remembered for her selflessness, her generosity, and her joie de vivre.

Although none of us were ready to say goodbye to the woman who was such a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend, we take comfort in knowing she is finally with her own mother, Jean, whom she has mourned since February 1, 1985. She will also be reunited with her beloved and spoiled German shepherds: Mota, Samantha, Mattie, and Charlie.

Renée passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 1, 2025, just 27 days short of her 80th birthday. She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Stephen C. Schwartz; her children, Robbie Schwartz (Dan Goldfine) and Craig Schwartz; her grandchildren, Ariel and Jonah Goldfine and Mallory and Garrett Schwartz; her sisters, Sandra Grancell and Joye (Richard) Schulang; her brother-in-law, Ronald (Sandra) Schwartz; and her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. She loved and appreciated you all.

Relatives and friends are invited to services on Sunday, April 6th, at 11 a.m. at Joseph Levine and Sons, 4737 East Street Road, Trevose, PA 19058. Interment will follow at Shalom Memorial Park, 25 Byberry Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006. Shiva will be observed following services, at the residence of Craig Schwartz.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Renée's memory may be made to The American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) or TwoPups Wellness Fund (www.twopups.org).

www.levinefuneral.com