Anne Christine (Kirsch Baron) Schwarz

Anne Christine (Kirsch Baron) Schwarz

HUDSON - Anne Christine (Kirsch Baron) Schwarz, age 88.

Anne, remembered by her family and friends for her joyful nature, graciousness, and kind, welcoming and loving heart, passed from this life on January 25, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.

Born November 17, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was a beautiful contradiction from the beginning - graceful, poised and lady-like, with a rogue spirit that bucked the expectation that she be seen but not heard. In her youngest days, she worked hard to be the best “tom boy” a girl could be - climbing trees, hanging from the swing set frame in the schoolyard, hiking, horseback riding, sledding, and skating in the parks around the Rocky River.

She taught herself to sew to have nice clothes during difficult times, babysitting for a neighbor in exchange for the use of her sewing machine. She worked after school jobs while attending John Marshall High School in Cleveland’s West Park, and after graduation, worked as a Secretary at the M.A. Hanna Company. Despite having a “good job for a woman,” she attended night classes to learn finance and management - skills that could support her independence. Wishing to see the world, she left M.A. Hanna Company after two years to travel Europe with a friend. She took a job with the U.S. Government when she returned with the goal of ultimately moving to and working in Europe. Fate had other plans.

During her one year of required domestic service with the Government, she met “Bill” William Baron. They fell for each other immediately and were married six months later in 1958. They enjoyed nearly eighteen wonderful years of marriage, during which time they had three beautiful children: Leigh, William and Linda. With the finance and management training she had pursued, Anne helped Bill build his own company, serving as Vice-President and Treasurer. When Bill passed unexpectedly in 1976, she took over the company as President.

She loved Put-in-Bay from her earliest days, first visiting the island as a child on family day trips. The visits became more frequent when her father and brother began purchasing property along the West Shore in 1953 and building a cottage in 1956. During this time and the many years to follow, Anne and her family met many wonderful individuals at the island that became and remained close friends. Among them were Dr. “Mac” Harold Schwarz and his family. When her first husband passed, Anne and Mac became serious friends and decided to marry two years later in 1978. One year after that, they welcomed a son, Tadd. Anne and Mac enjoyed thirty wonderful years together, with Put-in-Bay a central part of this happiness: two children and one grandchild each met their spouses at Put-in-Bay, and they spent countless summers and weekends participating in the island community, and hosting family and friends at their island home.

Beyond the love and care Anne exhibited to her family and friends, she was extensively involved in her communities. This included service in leadership, membership and volunteer roles for the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, Goodwill Industries of Akron, the Akron City Women’s Club, the University of Akron Faculty Women’s Club, the Silver Lake Garden Club, and Leonora Hall and Northview Consortium.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Burt A. and Cleo B. Kirsch; her brother, Donald B. Kirsch, and sister-in-law, Dee Dee Kirsch; her first husband, William J. Baron; and her second husband, Dr. Harold M. Schwarz, Jr. She is survived by her children: daughters, Leigh LaPlante (Thomas) and Linda Baron; sons, William Baron (Marzena) and Tadd Schwarz (Kevin); niece, Alexa Kirsch, nephew, Mark Kirsch (Holly); seven grandchildren: Andrew LaPlante, Tesse Ruhlman (Ryan), Emily Adams (Nick), Daniel LaPlante (Taylor), Shane LaPlante (Amber), William Baron, and Jake Baron; six great-grandchildren, and a large extended family.

Per her wishes, she has been cremated with no calling hours or funeral. A private Celebration of Life will be held for family and close friends only.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in her name to Goodwill Industries of Akron , 570 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, OH 44319.