1928 - 2024

Betty Jean (Oswalt) Schwartz, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and sister-in-law,

passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024, at the age of 96, in Kennewick, Washington. Betty was born on

April 18, 1928, in Palisade, Nebraska, to Grace and Floyd Oswalt and had eight brothers and sisters. The

Oswalt family moved to Kennewick in 1944 and Betty graduated from Kennewick High School in 1946.

She attended Washington State University for one year before meeting her husband to be, Raymond

Schwartz, on a blind date. They married April 10, 1948, and were married for forty-nine years before

Raymond's passing in 1997. Betty and Raymond moved into their new house in 1949 and raised all their

children there. Betty lived there for over 74 years until her passing. Her kind and loving nature,

positive attitude, sense of humor, and beautiful smile will be greatly missed.

Betty worked full-time while taking care of her family. She worked for General Electric and the

Washington State Department of Agriculture before retiring from the Washington State Department of

Social and Health Services in 1987.

Betty really enjoyed football and basketball, especially her Seattle Seahawks, Washington State Cougars, Gonzaga Bulldogs, and Golden State Warriors. She loved seeing all the flowers in her yard, especially her roses, lilacs, and 60 year old rhododendrons.

Betty will be deeply missed by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy Schwartz and Joey Gallego, Rick and

Julie Mares, Lori and Dennis Crass, Betsy and Paul Giever, and Leslie Schwartz; grandchildren, BreAnne

and Steve Souza, Derek Schwartz, Andrea Crass, Tanner and Veronica Crass, Trent Giever, and Jessica

Mares; great-grandchildren, Bodhi and Sammy Souza and soon to be Hudson Crass; wonderful brothers-

in-law, Pete Hosko and Steve Schwartz; and many loving nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her

wonderful neighbors of 41 years, Shawn and Alan.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; sons, James and Mark Schwartz; daughter-in-law,

Diane Schwartz; her mother and father; brothers, Edward, Richard, Bud, Joe, and Delbert; and sisters; Dorothy Brunkhorst, Dona Hudson, and Phyllis Hosko.

Family, friends, and faith were the most important things in mom's life. A big and loving thank you to all

our wonderful extended family and friends who helped celebrate mom's 96th birthday and make her day

so special. Also, a big thank you to mom's caring and thoughtful caregiver, Misty, who was with us for

over 10 months and is thought of like family.

Mom said Father McGraff from St. Joseph's had the biggest impact on her life. He baptized her into the

Catholic Church and told her to live a holy life, live to serve God, and respect other people and help

them. She always practiced this in her daily life.

A Rosary is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024, followed by a viewing from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S Union St., Kennewick. A Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 506 S. Garfield Street, Kennewick, WA; followed by graveside services at Riverview Heights Cemetery, 1200 S. Olympia Street in Kennewick and a luncheon in Dillon Hall at St. Joseph's Church.

No flowers please. If you wish to make a memorial donation, please consider Chaplaincy Health Care,

1480 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 99352; Meals on Wheels, 1824 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 99352; or

a charity of your choice.