In Loving Memory - Jeff Schwartz

This week we lost our brother, Jeff Schwartz, in a tragic car accident on the night of May 21st.  This was 1 day after his 38th birthday. 


http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/may/22/driver-in-monday-night-crash-into-wrecking-yard-dies/

Our hearts are broken and we will feel like a part of us is missing from here on out.  I just spent over an hour trying to find any photo of the 4 of us that remain without Jeff in the picture and I couldn't do it.  We were a set as young kids and as adults we weave in and out of each others lives.



The person that will feel the largest and deepest missing parts is Tara, his wife of 8 years - his great love and best friend of many many years more than that.  She is left with a home to manage and two puppies and not a lot else.  We will all pitch in to help with the services and arrangements but then the dust will settle and we will be sad and our kids will miss their beloved Uncle, but Tara will still be heart broken and while surrounded by friends and family, I know she will feel very alone.

What we want most right now is to be able to help support her during this awful transition.  She wants to stay in the home that she and Jeff built.  She does not want to sell off his possessions to pay her bills.  We will help her search out different employment and we can bring her meals and keep her company, but right now I think she also needs some financial security... a way to keep her home and pick up the pieces.  

I didn't realize that there are no survivor benefits in a family without children.  I knew Jeff did his best to take care of Tara but they were trying to build dreams and start a business together and they didn't have a lot of extra put away for anything like this. 

I'd love to see Tara move forward with some of those dreams and plans someday.  When she is ready... when there has been enough time and space to ease the loss just a little.  We'd like to help give her a boost and keep her in her home.

Thank you for any type of contribution.  It is all greatly appreciated.