My Mom's Funeral - Roberta Schwartz

Greetings everyone,

I received the shocking and unexpected news of her passing on Sunday, May 15th. 2022. She would have been 66 years of age this coming June 22nd, 2022. My mom passed away at the Allen Pavilion Hospital due to medical complications.

As I sort through the truth to reveal the causes of her sudden departure and take care of her unresolved matters, I am also asking the community-at-large for assistance with funeral arrangements.

• A donation of any denomination is welcomed and greatly appreciated and will go a long way.

My name is David A. Aviles, and I am the proud son of Roberta Schwartz; As you consider donating, please allow me to share a little back story about who my mother is/was and the circumstances leading us here.

My Loving Mother and Love for her Children

My mother was a kind and loving woman, an advocate for animal rights, a good friend to many, an aunt, a sister, a cousin, a daughter, and a neighbor. Someone who overcame homelessness, domestic violence and other barriers to raise and provide for her children as a single parent during the 1980s while residing in the South Bronx. She was a selfless person who always placed her children before herself.

My Mom and I, Playing Telephone – circa 1983

Professional Accolades

During the 1990s, my mother successfully pursued and earned an associate degree in accounting from Monroe College to provide us with a better life. Her accomplishment led to a great position with Mount Sinai Hospital's Patient Accounts Department, where she worked for over 22 years.

Monroe College (Monroe Business Institute) – circa 1990

Family Heritage

My mother is/was of Jewish descent, born to my late grandparents, Daniel Schwartz and Martha Brodes and sister to my late uncle, Richard Schwartz. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Brenda Schwartz, and Nephews, Matthew and Brian Schwartz. She is also survived by many other extended family members.

Touching the Lives of Others

Throughout her life, my mother made many friends in childhood, at work and during medical treatments and hospitalizations; she was always spoken highly of by medical staff. She was beloved by all who knew her in life.

Charitable Causes and Love for Animals

My mother had an amazing heart that extended beyond people; she was an animal lover and an avid supporter and member of the Humane Society, ASPA, and PETA. Her involvement included monthly charitable donations and activities in online forum discussions to advocate for animal rights and raise awareness of their needed protection from abuses.

She was also a very loving pet parent to many, including cats and dogs who were firmly attached to her.

My mother’s love and compassion for animals influenced my own throughout my life. I now take on the ownership and care of her cat, Sammy, who she loved dearly and looked forward to being reunited with once again prior to her passing.

Making My Mother Proud

I always recognized how hard my mother strove to provide the best life possible and raise us to the best of her ability. As I followed an alternative path in my life and career, I wanted to make her proud, and she was often my inspiration. In 2010, her influence led me to attend the same college as she did many years prior and successfully earn two undergraduate degrees. She proudly attended both ceremonies. I later completed graduate school, becoming the first of her children to attend and graduate from college.

Monroe College Graduation, Bachelors – circa 2014

Health Concerns and a Challenging Two Years

In 1994, my mother was diagnosed with Diabetes which impacted her life in many ways, but she continued to be a highly capable, competent, independent, and mobile woman throughout her working years. Over time into her later years, she developed congestive heart failure and arthritis, contributing to her retirement in 2018 after over 22 years of hard work and dedication to her profession. She could no longer continue the day-to-day grind of the office 9-5.

In January 2020, she needed a partial leg amputation to address a complex foot infection. This required temporary residence at a rehabilitation facility based in Riverdale, New York, with the intention of her returning to the comfort of her home once her wounds healed and the projected 4 to 5 months of physical therapy is complete.

Rehabilitation Center – circa 2020

In April of 2020, COVID ended all physical therapy sessions causing her to become bed-bound and lose the use of her good leg and affecting her ability to participate in the facility’s limited sessions occurring in 2021. In addition to inadvertently extending her stay, transitioning her status from temporary patient to resident.

November of 2021 brought about an emergency room visit due to sepsis, requiring emergency dialysis and the treatment of many other issues. I was told that her blood pressure and sugar were so low that she should have been sent to the hospital sooner. She miraculously recovered, returned to the rehabilitation facility, and we enjoyed a Thanksgiving Day meal together; unbeknownst to me, this would be our last.

The Loss of my mother

On May 11, 2022, I took a trip to California to attend a graduation with a return date of May 15th, 2022. While in California, I sent my mother photo messages with a promise of sending additional photos when I returned from the trip, my texts went unanswered, but I did not think much of it.

After I landed back in NYC and was in a taxi heading back to the Bronx, I received a call informing me of her transport to the emergency room at the Allen Pavilion Hospital and her passing.

I loved my mother very much, more than she knew and more than I could ever express. She was both my mom and dad; I lost two parents on May 15th. I honestly don't know what's next as I prepare for the unexpected.

I can never repay her for all she has done, and I am now carrying the weight of never being able to. With your assistance, I will, at the very least, be able to provide a proper service she rightfully earned and deserves as my mother, family member, caring friend, animal lover and positive member of her community.

Thank you all for your time and consideration of my campaign.