Obituary of Sharon Mae Maurer-Schwartz

Sharon Mae Maurer-Schwartz, 83, of Las Vegas, NV, passed away on April 27th after a tenacious fight with Dementia.

Sharon was born on May 15, 1939, to Jack (Jacob Isaac) and Estelle Maurer in Indianapolis, IN.

Sharon was committed to Making A Difference (MAD) in the world. She cared deeply about helping the disenfranchised.

She attended Short Ridge and Broad Ripple High Schools in Indianapolis, IN. She started her undergraduate studies at the University of Cincinnati and transferred to Washington University, St. Louis, MO, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree and studied at the Central Institute for the Deaf in order to teach the deaf and hard of hearing.

Later, Sharon continued her commitment to Making A Difference (MAD) when she graduated from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, with a Master of Arts in Education, and taught the hard of hearing in the Chicago Public Schools. She also worked as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in private practice, and graduated from National-Louis University, Evanston, IL, with an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. She was an Adult Education Professor, and consulted to the George Armstrong School helping to develop classroom interventions for special needs and general education students.

She studied under psychology and therapist trail blazers like Virginia Satir, and Jane Levenberg Gerber. She was a workshop presenter for the Gestalt Institute of Chicago and facilitated weekend workshops on stress management, personal growth, and self-image on close circuit TV.

She was on the original board of directors for the Las Vegas Gay and Lesbian Community Center, was active in the International Coach Federation and worked as a Life Coach. She was part of the Lambda Business Association and was on the governing board of the Illinois School Psychologist Association.

Sharon proudly served as a board member on the HIV Coalition during a time when HIV was highly stigmatized. Her leadership and involvement on the board helped save many lives.

Sharon was passionate about her Judaism and had the first Bat Mitzvah (ceremony for girls) at her synagogue in Indianapolis, IN. She learned and spoke fluent Hebrew when she lived and worked in Israel as a preschool teacher helping youth with multi-handicapped hearing impairment. She consulted with parents to help enhance the development of her students and remembered her time in Israel fondly.

Sharon loved to cook and try foods from around the globe. She loved water, swimming, being immersed in nature, traveling, and being with friends and family.

Sharon was extremely savvy and resourceful during times of crisis. She was a super active and engaged listener, provided sage advice to those who were troubled and always prioritized those she loved. She had a knack for identifying GAPS and did all she could to Make A Difference (MAD).

Sharon is predeceased by her parents, Jack and Estelle Maurer, ex-husband Allen Danton Schwartz, stepdaughter Bobette Schochet, and sister Sandy Maurer. She is survived by her wife, Edna (Ande) Rice, children Julie Zeff (Ken) and Allan Gundy, stepchildren Michael Schwartz, Martin Schwartz, and Neil Schwartz, beloved grandchildren Audrey, Sarah, and Jonah Zeff, many cousins, a niece Marsha Fabry and a nephew Scott Budnick as well as many friends.

Donations in Sharon's memory can be made to the following: