“In honoring the memory of our Mother, Judy, with this special gift to Brother Rice, we affirm the greatest of lessons she taught each of us, her sons – to be men of faith, to be men of love and kindness, and to be true to the values we have been taught. Her faith gave her the courage to battle even life’s greatest challenges. Her love and kindness were beyond compare. She was the cornerstone of our family, a pillar of the community, and the hero in all of our lives. Giving back to Brother Rice affirms Mom’s steadfast commitment to Catholic education, models what she has taught us about the blessings in our lives, and perpetuates the legacy of her life now given as a gift to the next generation of RICE Warriors – to be men of faith, love, and kindness.“ — Reflections shared by Judy Schwartz’s sons: Greg ’82, Wally ’83, Joe ’84, Ed ’87, Peter ‘93
On this Mother’s Day morning, as we honor Brother Rice Moms past and present, we celebrate our first teacher, our most loyal confidant, one who taught us everything simply by her example, one who championed our achievements and comforted our losses, one who believed in us long before we believed in ourselves, one who taught us resilience and grit, kindness and joy, patience and perspective – our first hero, our Mom!
Today as we celebrate moms everywhere, we are reminded of the unyielding bond between a mother and son. Moms teach us the lessons of living a purposeful life – to be rooted in faith, to be kind and caring, to be patient and understanding, to live, love, and give in such a way as to inspire others simply by our example.
Moms give of themselves so that we may be our best selves. Moms protect us, sacrifice for us, and abandon their own interests so that we may pursue ours. Moms guide us in our struggles, celebrate our accomplishments, and champion our pursuits. They are the glue that unites a family, the joy that enlivens a party, and the bond that builds a community.
Such was the inspired life of Judy Schwartz. Her marriage to Greg Schwartz, Sr., husband of 43 years and family patriarch, was filled with love, joy, and fun. The “matriarch” of the Schwartz Family, Judy was a Brother Rice Mom through and through. Active on campus, in the Mom’s Club, and ever present in all things Brother Rice, Judy was a bigger-than-life personality whose kindness, caring, and magnetism drew people to her in counsel, in service, in friendship, and fun. She taught her five sons – Greg ’82, Wally ’83, Joe ’84, Ed ’87, and Peter ’93 – to not only pursue their passions, live life to the fullest, and have fun along the way, but to be grounded in the golden rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – a calling of kindness and goodness Judy lived throughout her life.
It was Judy’s faith that sustained her during an extended battle with cancer more than a decade ago. She always saw her deep-rooted Catholic faith as a “faith in action.” It was through prayer and in her acts of charity and volunteerism that she found great purpose and meaning. Having formed values in her sons at a young age that she knew would last a lifetime, she then modeled those values in such a way as to set the standard for them to emulate throughout their lives.
Inspired by a joyous life and a legacy of faith, love, and kindness gifted from a mom to her sons, and to honor the guiding inspiration that was her life, we are pleased to announce through the generosity of a $1,000,000 gift from The Schwartz Family, the naming of the Fr. Joseph Grimaldi Foyer at Brother Rice High School designated to honor the priestly ministry of a dear friend, spiritual advisor, and inspirational leader to our extended Brother Rice family. Judy shared a once in a lifetime treasured friendship with Father Joe that guided and inspired her Catholic faith.
It is in giving back to Brother Rice in such a meaningful way to honor the vocation of one who has counseled, guided, served, and supported so many, the life legacy of Judy Schwartz lives on as a gift from her sons to the next generation of RICE Warriors so that they too may become men of faith, men of love and kindness, and true to the values they have been taught.
We are humbled by the commitment of Judy Schwartz’s sons to their alma mater and ever grateful for this investment in the future of Brother Rice High School.