Dorothy Schwartz

Dorothy Dottie (Hummitzsch) Schwartz, age 89, of Sheboygan, died Monday afternoon, April 4, 2016.

She was born on February 18, 1927 in Sheboygan to Arthur and Emma (Kuhnert) Hummitzsch. She graduated from Jefferson Elementary School and was a graduate of Sheboygan Central High School, Class of 1945.

Dorothys love of music began with piano lessons at the age of 5 and continued throughout her life. At age 12, she was singing solos in her brother Melvins Minstrel Shows and also sang in the church choir. While in high school, she sang in the a cappella choir and formed and sang in 2 trios.

She was also very athletic, playing tennis and playing 3rd base on a girls fast-pitch softball team which won 2 city championships. She was rated as the best all round performer in the circuit.

Upon graduation, she was employed in the business office of the Telephone Co. for 2 years.

Dorothy was an original Chordette, a girls barbershop quartette, making appearances across the United States. They were in New York and made an appearance on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout Show. They won the contest and Arthur Godfrey was so impressed with their talent that he asked them to become permanent members of the Little Godfreys, appearing on his morning radio show 5 days a week and his Wednesday night television show.

On December 31, 1949 Dorothy married the love of her life, Bill Schwartz. After 7 years with the Chordettes, she left the group and a promising career to return with Bill to Sheboygan and wait the birth of their son, Jeffrey, and four years later, a daughter, Sandra. She and Bill were able to take the family overseas to England, Greece, Italy, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. She loved spending the summer months with Bill and the family at their summer home at Crystal Lake. She and Bill wintered at their condo in Key West, Florida. After 60 years of marriage, Bill preceded her in death on September 19, 2010.

Dorothy was the secretary-treasurer in her husbands business, Wm. W. Schwartz Assoc., an advertising and Promotional business, which their son, Jeff and his wife, Wendy are now running.

Dorothy was an active member of Congregation Beth El. She was involved in her community, being a den mother, on the board and president of Beth El Sisterhood, Sheboygan Womens Club and working with the Red Cross Blood Bank.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Wendy) Schwartz of Milwaukee; her daughter, Sandra (Duke) Long of West Bend; grandchildren, Emily (Richard) Fuchs of Tennessee, David (Beth) Schwartz of Milwaukee, Samuel (Haley) Long, Benjamin Long and Emma Long, all of West Bend; great-grandchildren, Maxen Long and Alison Fuchs; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill, and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Melvin (Loretta) Hummitzsch and Harold (Doris) Hummitzsch.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8th, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Ballhorn Funeral Chapels. Rabbi Menachem Rapoport will officiate. Burial will follow at Sheboygan Hebrew Cemetery in Kohler, WI. A time of visitation and support will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Beth El or the Sheboygan Humane Society.

The Schwartz family wishes to thank Dr. Coulis, Dr. Pawlak, Dr. Matthews, Dr. Wolfert, Rosa Siguenva and Val Tutas, and the St. Nicholas Hospice team for their dedication, support and excellent care of Dorothy.

Dorothy was a devoted, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She never regretted leaving show business and returning to Sheboygan with Bill to start a new chapter in her life. Her legacy of love lives on.

To sign the guestbook, please visit: www.ballhornchapels.com