Sandra Marie Schwartz passed away on January 28, 2026 at the age of 74. Sandra was born to the late Frank Dean and Rita (Buck) Griffin on June 6, 1951 in Toledo, OH--the fourth of their nine children. She was a graduate of Maumee High School and attended the University of Toledo where she met her loving husband of 54 years, Richard Schwartz. They settled in Dayton, Ohio in 1978 where they raised their five children.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Julie Schwartz, her brother Larry Griffin, her nephew Mathew Haar, and both of her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Richard; her children: Jennifer (Ken) Srode, Richard (Lilly) Schwartz, Dean (Dominique) Schwartz, and Christian (Hanna) Schwartz; her nine grandchildren; and many cherished extended family members.

Sandra was a very talented cook and baker. She first explored her talents in the kitchen while she was a youth in 4-H. This experience led her to participate in the Montgomery County Fair years later. She entered multiple categories in the baking and canning divisions and won so many "Best of Shows" and first place ribbons year after year that the fair executives asked her to be a judge for both divisions. Her successes also led to her pursuing a baking business out of her home. She was especially talented at decorating cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, and around Christmas, she designed and built elaborate, homemade gingerbread constructions. She was very generous with her kitchen talents, as well, often donating her services for the benefit of various local charities.

Sandra loved being outdoors and welcomed opportunities for gardening, foraging, biking, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, skiing and running. She had been a member of both the Dayton Ski Club and the Kittyhawk Ski Club, and even served as an officer in charge of planning the winter ski trips. She had completed multiple Great Ohio Bicycle Adventures and loved attending various camps for outdoor-oriented women. She cherished her Greene County Fish and Game Association membership and had even planned to participate in 2026, despite her poor prognosis.

Sandra had other interests, as well. She was a gifted singer and sang in the guitar group of her St. Henry's Parish throughout the 1980's. She loved playing slot machines at the casinos and developed a network of friends through her casino escapades. And she loved to travel, especially on cruises. After receiving her diagnosis in April 2025, she wasted no time in booking a cruise of the Mediterranean, which she successfully completed as a celebration of her 74th birthday. She had hoped to travel more before the final trip to her eternal home, but God's timing isn't to be questioned.

Sandra had a special prayer devotion to the Holy Family, and family members believe that it was not a coincidence that her health took a drastic turn on the Feast of the Holy Family--December 28, 2025. She passed away exactly one month later.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 5-7pm, in the WESTBROCK FUNERAL HOME- KETTERING, 5980 Bigger Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Brian Phelps in honor of both her and her daughter, Julie Schwartz, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 beginning at 10:30 AM at the Church of the Incarnation. Burial will take place at a later date in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Fremont, Ohio.

Memories and condolences may be left on the tribute wall.