ANNITA SCHWARTZ

August 19, 1936 - July 1, 2022

Annita Fite Schwartz passed away peacefully at home on Friday July 1, 2022. She was born on August 19, 1936, in Houston, Texas to James Albert and Gertrude Morgan Manford Fite. She was the oldest sister of James Fite, Joan Woodson and Dennis Fite.

Annita graduated from Lamar High School and her dad’s alma mater, Rice University, with a degree in English Literature. She was an avid reader, always eager to share books from her library with her children and grandchildren.

Soon after college, in 1963 Annita moved to France. She lived and worked in Paris translating documents. She was always proud of the tenacity she had that led her there.

After returning back home to Houston, Annita taught French at Westbury High School. In 1966 she married Newton Boris Schwartz. They both enjoyed the arts and would often go to the symphony, opera and ballet. They took many red eye flights to New York to see Broadway shows and eat at nearby delis - a tradition that continued once they had their three children, Emily Schwartz Kemper, Newton Boris Schwartz Jr. and Kathryn Schwartz Queen.

Annita was a sweet and caring mom who volunteered at her kids’ schools, always looked forward to her book club meetings, discovered a love of Pilates classes later in life, and cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren.

In addition to her siblings, husband and children, Annita is survived by her son in law, Gunther Kemper, daughter in law, Jennifer Schwartz and son in law, Ben Queen. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Fronia Kathryn Kemper, Alexander Vayakhel Kemper, Maxwell Newton Queen, Owen Samuel Queen and Nora Emily Queen.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday July 16, 2022 at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, 5200 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77004. Reception to follow. For those who wish to do so, memorial contributions may be made to Rice University at the Office of Development MS-81, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251 or at giving.rice.edu.