Barbara Schaaf Kortwich

Barbara Schaaf Kortwich was born April 16, 1933 in Sidney, Ohio to Mary Dow Schaaf and Hubert Haslup Schaaf.  She moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio in 1935 where she resided for most of the rest of her life.  She graduated from Chagrin Falls High School in 1951, and then graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1955, majoring in Music with a minor in English.  She remained an active alumnus for both schools. She taught Music for 1 year in Bainbridge and Auburn schools, grades 1-12.

Barb married Carlyle S. Harris in 1955 and they had 4 children before divorcing.  She married Paul Edward Kortwich in 1968 and adopted his 2 sons.  They were married for 35 years before his death in 2003.  She married Donald Mackey in 2018 at the age of 85, and they enjoyed almost 5 years together before her passing.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her stepson, Eric Kortwich.

Mrs. Kortwich was very active in the United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls, where she was a member for 87 years!  She sang in the church choir for 37 years and was a member of the "Ringing Belles" handbell choir for several decades.  She had a beautiful voice and gave many concerts in which she often included her Christian witness.  She was active in United Methodist Women for nearly 70 years, serving as president and circle leader several times.  She was a member of the Bayview Reading Club for nearly 65 years and loved playing tennis until she was no longer able. She raised  6 children and was always active in their school and extracurricular activities.  She loved to travel and visited many countries throughout her life.

She is survived by daughters Cherie Harris Williams (Chip) of South Carolina, and Mary Ellen Harris Runyon (Gary) of Cleveland, and sons Bob Harris (Tina) of Painesville, Glenn Kortwich of Eastlake, and Jim Harris (Kathy) of Maryland.  She loved her 10 grandchildren Mary Rosas (Joseph), Sara Isely, John Isely (Gina), Jackie Harris, TJ Harris (Emily), Emma Isely, Kelly Harris, Joe Harris, Sam Harris and Tom Harris, as well as two great grandsons Jackson and Bradley Rosas.  She also loved Bharat Rawal (Reeta) like a son as well as his daughters Ekta Garg (Anuj) and Natasha Rawal, and granddaughters Suhani and Muskaan.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Barbaras name to The United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls, 20 South Franklin Street Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 2:00pm at the United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls, 20 S. Franklin St, CFO.  Arrangements entrusted to Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home, Chagrin Falls, OH.

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