Carol Ruth Schwarz

February 16, 1957 - November 17, 2020

Carol Ruth Schwarz, 63, died too young on November 17th, 2020. Transplanted from Trenton, NJ as a preschooler, Carol grew up in Key Biscayne, where her lifelong love of the water began. Following graduation from Coral Gables HS Carol moved to Tallahassee to attend FSU. She fell in love with this area and never left. Carol was passionate about many things, from local politics to the environment. She was most passionate about the issue of clean water, which she referred to as “Blue Gold.” She loved being around water and spent countless hours hiking, kayaking, and photographing around the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge and Wakulla Springs, as well as other rivers and springs all over the state. She was the #1 supporter of the "Saving Wakulla Springs” Overland Tour, and persuaded numerous community and political leaders to learn first hand about water quality issues by taking the tour. Riversink was her special place. Carol's jobs, vocations, and avocations reflected the wide variety of her interests. Her areas of employment ranged from mental health and probation, to the Florida legislature and Department of Revenue. She was also a licensed massage therapist, taught swimming, was certified in Usui Reiki and was active in the Reiki community for many years. Carol loved music and participated in the Velma Frye and co-op singing groups, and was an avid supporter of the FSU School of Music. As a beloved member of United Church in Tallahassee, Carol added her voice to the choir and special vocal ensembles. Her passion for social justice and environmental issues led her to become a key member of the congregation's Climate Change Task Force. She took a special interest in introducing high school and college youth to the beauty of our natural environment. Carol's multitude of friends were as diverse as her interests. It is not an exaggeration to say that wherever she went, from hiking trails to commission chambers, she ran into and was warmly greeted by someone she knew. Carol treated everyone the same - politician or panhandler, she was respectful, genuinely interested, and passionately caring. We are poorer for her loss, but blessed by her memory. Carol is survived by her sister, Barbara Krieger, and nephew, Matthew Krieger, both of Tampa, and niece, Heidi Krieger of Atlanta. She was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Dorothy Schwarz. United Church in Tallahassee will hold a memorial service via Zoom on Friday, December 11, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The link is Join Zoom Meeting https://us/2web.zoom.us/i/82899626881 and the Passcode is 973019. Contributions in Carol's honor can be made to the Florida Springs Institute https://floridaspringsinstitute.org/donate or to United Church in Tallahassee www.uctonline.org or at 1834 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308.