soul

of blessed memory

Marianne Shapero Schwartz:
Passion For Art And Community Service

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

W

ith the discerning eye of an art connois-
seur and the loving heart of a devoted
wife, mother and grandmother, Marianne
Shapero Schwartz lived a fulfilling life dedicated
to family, the arts and selfless community service.
Marianne, who lived in Birmingham with her husband
of 67 years, Alan E. Schwartz, died Sept. 20, 2017, at the
age of 86.
Marianne, who was born in Detroit in 1930, was
known throughout the community for her generous
philanthropic activities, volunteer work and leadership
role in numerous civic, cultural and nonprofit organi-
zations.
She attended Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods
and went on to Wellesley College in Massachusetts and
Barnard College in New York, where she was an art
history major. She and her late older brother, Ray, were
raised amid a legacy of Jewish communal service and
philanthropy by their parents, Ruth and Nate Shapero.
The founder and president of Cunningham Drugs,
Nate Shapero was a pillar of the Jewish community
who was known for his generous contributions of time
and funding to a multitude of organizations and chari-
table causes.
When Marianne was 19, she was introduced to Alan
by his sister, Mitzi, and the two were married shortly
afterward. According to Rabbi Daniel Syme of Temple
Beth El, who officiated the funeral service along with
Cantor Rachel Kalmowitz, theirs was “a union of two
souls as one,” a lifelong romance of mutual dedication
and devotion.
“Their love and affection for each other was a
touchstone of their family life,” said U.S. District Judge
Avern Cohn, a close friend for more than 60 years, who
spoke at the funeral service. “Every word and expres-
sion of goodness applies to Marianne.”
As their family grew to include three children and
five grandchildren, Marianne and Alan enjoyed travel-
ing the world, collecting art, devoting themselves to
charitable causes, individually and together, and enjoy-
ing time with close friends and extended family.
“She drew in all those around her to her magic, her
passion for art, opera and anything else of beauty and
brilliance,” said her granddaughter Alana Schwartz,
speaking at the funeral service. “She was an animating
force.”
Marianne was known as a good listener; she paid
attention and remembered what was said, usually
offering a piece of sound advice or insightful comment.
She was fiercely independent, loyal, well-organized,
unflappable under stress and always elegantly dressed.
Her many skills and hobbies included horseback rid-
ing, skiing, bridge and needlepoint. She was a master
gardener.
“She was the perfect combination of refinement and
style, the perfect phrase and the impeccable outfit,”

Marianne Shapero Schwartz

said her grandson David Fuller, who also spoke at the
funeral service. “She was an inspiration for what it
means to be a partner in a marriage, a role model for
what a strong woman should look like.”

A LEGACY AT THE DIA

Inspired by her love of art, Marianne made her most
lasting legacy at the Detroit Institute of Arts, where, for
more than 65 years, she took on a variety of important
volunteer roles. She was active in all levels of museum
affairs, developing the Docent Committee, chairing
the Critical Collections Committee, serving on the
DIA Board of Directors beginning in 1970, and serv-
ing as secretary and a member of the DIA’s Executive
Committee for decades.
Together, Marianne and Alan amassed one of the
world’s great private collections of works on paper,
from Rembrandt to Albrecht Dürer to Picasso, with a
concentration on American prints.
“She was a divining rod for masterpieces; she went
right to the best,” said her son Marc, speaking at the
funeral service. “She was proper but not prim; she
respected everyone and was not afraid of getting her
hands dirty. Her words were always measured and
straightforward, and the importance of family was
innate to her being.”
In 1977, the couple was recognized by the DIA with
its Lifetime Service Award. A highlight of their com-
mitment to the DIA was their gift to establish the
Schwartz Galleries of Prints and Drawings in 1980.

“Marianne Schwartz was an amazing person who
gave so much to the museum. Her help developing the
Docent Committee, her impeccable eye as the chair of
the Collections Committe, and her leadership on the
board of directors have created a lasting legacy,” said
Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director, president and CEO.
“For more than 65 years, she worked to help the DIA
become one of the best museums in the country. The
Schwartz Galleries of Prints and Drawings and the
wonderful prints Marianne and Alan gave, will con-
tinue to serve as reminder of her lifetime of service to
the museum and passion for the arts,” he added.
Marianne was involved with numerous other orga-
nizations, notably the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
and Great Lakes Chamber Music Society. She served
on committees and, along with her husband, made
generous donations to many causes that included
the Hebrew Free Loan Association, the Arthritis
Foundation, University of Michigan Hillel, Tamarack
Camps, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA),
the Allied Jewish Campaign, the Jewish National
Fund, Kadima, the Weizmann Institute of Science,
B’nai B’rith International, the Janice Charach Gallery,
Meadow Brook Theatre and the Hudson-Webber
Foundation in Detroit. She was a life member of the
Sinai Guild.
Marianne shared a “forever friendship” with Carolyn
Greenberg, beginning when the two attended Temple
Beth El Sunday School at the age of 5.
“She was kind, considerate and always thoughtful of
others,” said Greenberg, “and she showed great cour-
age in her care of Alan, her beloved, these past difficult
years. She loved beauty and surrounded herself with a
beautiful home and garden and her love of the arts and
music. And at the center of it all was a beautiful person
— we will all miss her.”
Marianne is survived by her beloved husband of 67
years, Alan E. Schwartz; cherished children, Marc A.
(Emily Camiener) Schwartz, Kurt N. (Susan) Schwartz
and Ruthanne (Joe) Fuller; loving grandchildren, Alana
Schwartz, Derek Schwartz, Mark Fuller, Chris Fuller
and David (Roey) Fuller. She is also survived by Emily’s
children, Hugh Camiener and Miles Camiener.
She was the devoted daughter of the late Nate
Shapero and the late Ruth Shapero; sister of the late
Ray A. (the late Jean) Shapero; sister-in-law of the late
Marilyn (Mitzi) Schwartz Giles, the late Cyril and the
late Hella Schwartz. She is also survived by many lov-
ing nieces, nephews and a world of friends.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park.
Contributions in Marianne’s honor may be directed to
the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward, Detroit,
MI 48202, (313) 833-6760, www.dia.org; or the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra, 3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit,
MI 48201-2444, (313) 576-5114, www.dso.org/Donate.
aspx or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel. •

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