Tessie O. Schwab

Tessie O. Schwab (nee Risch), 98, a fan of all things Cincinnati. Born June 29, 1912, in Northside, passed away August 23, 2010, at Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community in Hyde Park. Wife of the late R. L. (Dick) Schwab, mother of James E. Schwab (Cincinnati) and Richard L. Schwab (Fox Point, WI), mother-in-law of Vivian Schwab and Kathy Schwab, former mother-in-law of Betty Williams (Shaker Heights, OH), grandmother of Andrew Schwab (San Francisco, CA), Katie Frink (Seattle, WA), Jennifer Gromosky (Novelty, OH) and Jeffrey Schwab (Chagrin Falls, OH) and their spouses Catarina Schwab, Alex Frink, Frank Gromosky and Marci Schwab, also survived by 9 great-grandchildren, niece Lynn Meyer (Cincinnati), nephews John Dinkelaker (Cincinnati) and Steve Dinkelaker (Conway, MA) and many other loving relatives and friends. Tess graduated from Hughes High School in 1930 and The University of Cincinnati School of Education in 1934. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and a Dance Thespian. Her father Max, known for his counter at Avril’s Butcher Shop and as a Reds Rooters icon, passed his lifelong enthusiasm of Cincinnati and life on to Tess at an early age. She and her husband Dick knew one another since kindergarten when they sat side-by-side in their school photo. She resided in College Hill and Finneytown, with her last 20 years spent in Mariemont. Tess owned and operated The Knit Nook in Finneytown in the 60s and was a member of Clovernook Country Club, Cincinnati Club, Beta Theta Pi Mother’s Club and Mariemont’s Marielders. Her home was always open to friends and neighbors. She loved trips to lake Leelanau in Leland, MI, and celebrated her 90th birthday at Fountain Point, MI, surrounded by her family in 2002. Tess will be remembered for her love and loyalty to UC especially her dear friends, Tay and Patti Baker and the late Ed and Joanie Jucker. Tess and Dick also loved the Bengals. They were original season ticket holders and traveled to Super Bowl XVI in 1981. The Reds have also been a major part of Tess’s life for over 75 years, highlighted by a special 95th birthday visit with Marty Brennaman, Tess’s all-time favorite announcer, at Great American Ballpark in 2007. She will forever be remembered for her hospitality, beauty and gracious manor, her positive outlook, love of family and her “Schwab” energy and tenacity. The family sincerely thanks Yvonne Burns for her steadfast love and friendship. Special thanks to the devoted staff at Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community for their exceptional care. The family suggests memorials be made in honor of Tess to The Bethesda Foundation, 10500 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45242, or to Marielders Senior Center, 6923 Madisonville Rd., Mariemont, OH 45227. Tess’s life will be celebrated at The Old Armstrong Chapel at the southwest corner of Drake and Indian Hill Rd. in Indian Hill, Saturday from 10 a.m. until funeral service at 11 a.m.