Barbara Schultz

Barbara Roush Schultz was born on June 30, 1941, and was welcomed into God’s loving embrace on April 14, 2026, at the age of 84. She passed away peacefully at home with her daughters after a year in Hospice care. 

Barbara was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Celeste Prietsch Roush and Edgar Roush. She was the much-loved older sister and best friend of Diana, who looked to her for guidance and support. Barbara was the beautiful sister who understood, and with whom Diana shared philosophies, feelings, and dreams.

Pittsburgh was always her home; however, during her parents’ sabbaticals and summers off, she and her family traveled extensively, living in Florida, California and Italy. These experiences left her with wonderful memories, countless stories, and a lifelong love of flower fields, travel and Roma.

Barbara attended Sacred Heart High School, Seton Hill College, and Duquesne University before earning her BA from University of Florida. After college, she moved to Chicago where she met good friends and the love of her life, Arthur Schultz. 

Art and Barbara married in 1964 and started their family in Chicago before moving to Hollywood, Florida in 1967. Art bought a local pharmacy, Barbara became a La Leche League leader extraordinaire and together they raised their five daughters. Friends, neighbors, and anyone (or any cat) in need of a little companionship or conversation were always welcomed into their home. 

Nativity Church was a key part of their lives as parents and community members.They moved to a home just a few blocks from the church and school, where the family attended. 

Barbara was very active in ministries and organizations including CFM, Cursillo, and Respect Life, and later on JustFaith, Pax Christi, Faith and Light, Faith and Sharing, Course in Miracles — as well as with Eucharistic Ministers, where, weekly for many years, she volunteered at Hollywood Memorial Hospital sharing communion and companionship. 

Barabara, a life-long learner and mother, always striving for a better world, became a Montessori-trained educator and a student at the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential which specializes in neurological development. So strong was the community that she and Art developed through Nativity that volunteers came to their home eight hours a day, seven days a week, for over a year and a half, to assist with a program for neurological growth for their disabled daughter, Annie.

Barbara’s love of learning and education continued throughout her life. She received her BS in Nursing in 1986, followed by her certificates as a Florida Master Gardener, Naturalist and Composter. Point to any plant and she knew its name (still wishing for those flower fields in her yard). An avid reader and poet, she was always ready for a philosophical discussion prompted by one of the many newspaper articles posted on the refrigerator. As far as her daughters were concerned, Barbara already had the answer to every question long before Google existed. 

She dedicated 50 years of her life to caring for her daughter Annie. It was far more than a full-time job, but whenever she could find the time, book club, walks with neighbors and traveling with her family and friends brought her joy. In addition to revisiting Rome several times, she traveled to India, Machu Picchu, Australia, France, the South Pacific, Ireland, Mexico and England. Rome remained her favorite and gelato made her smile until the end.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar (1985) and Celeste (1990), her baby brother John (1948), her husband Art (1992), and her daughter Annie (2022). 

She is survived by her daughters: Diana (Scott), Marie, Christina, and Amy (Patrick), by her sister Diana (Kent Murdock); seven grandchildren: Cedar, Ryan, Kathryn, Elijah, Skye, Celeste and Grace; several nieces and nephews: Beth, Jennifer, Steve, Lisa, Mike, Sharon, Cathy, Barbara, Debbie, Dawn; and by a community of loving friends.

In her memory, and in lieu of flowers, contributions to her favorite charities are welcome:

L’Arche Jacksonville

700 Arlington Road North

Jacksonville, Florida 32211

www.larchejacksonville.org (http://www.larchejacksonville.org/)

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami

www.ccadm.org

 (http://www.ccadm.org/)(305) 754-2444

Food For The Poor

www.foodforthepoor.org

 (http://www.foodforthepoor.org/)(800) 427-9104

A funeral mass will be held at 11am, Monday, July 20, at Nativity Catholic Church, 5220 Johnson Street, Hollywood, Florida 33021

Following the service, a Celebration of Life gathering and reception — with gelato — will be held at the home of Marie Schultz: 

1358 Polk Street, Hollywood, Florida 33019.

Per Barbara’s request, “Please wear green or blue, only a ribbon or sari will do, remembering the trees and sky, my favorite.”

All are welcome.