Ettabelle Schwartz, 70, died March 31, 2008.
She was active as a volunteer with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, serving as president of the Friends of the Library for several years.
"She was such an asset with the Friends," said Library Director Doug Dotterer. "She was a vital part of the Friends group and helping the library. Her efforts helped the library grow."
Mrs. Schwartz volunteered at the Friends' book sales, sorting and pricing book donations and staffing the sales desk.
"She also was active in fundraising events and receptions for the Friends," said Dotterer.
Mrs. Schwartz also worked at the Learned Owl in Hudson.
Schwartz was Kent State University's first lady from 1982 through 1990, during the tenure of Dr. Michael Schwartz, her then-husband.
Reflecting on her role at Kent State as her time as first lady was ending, Mrs. Schwartz said being a presidential spouse "cannot be summed up in just a few words."
As first lady, Schwartz said, she served as a hostess, spokeswoman, volunteer and unofficial employee of the university, a 24-hour, unpaid job that was rewarding but at times also posed special challenges.
"In a strict sense, I cannot be held accountable to anyone, yet I am always aware of others observing me and my actions," she said. "I have sacrificed my own home, my privacy and my children's privacy. I sometimes wonder if friends are truly friends to me or are friendly because of my husband's job."
Reared in Chicago, where she and her family lived in the back room of her father's hardware store, Schwartz graduated from the University of Illinois, where she met her future husband. She came to Kent in 1976, and the couple settled in Stow, where they returned after the president's tenure at the university ended.
Schwartz was the first applicant for KSU's Master of Liberal Studies program, and she was proud to become a Kent alumna when she earned her master's degree in 1988 after being away from the classroom for 27 years.
While residing in Kent, she served as a member of the Portage County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services and was involved with the Child Sexual Abuse Compact. She also co-chaired the United Way campaign at Kent State. She was a longtime member of the League of Women Voters of Kent.
Survivors include her son, Kenneth (Heather); daughters, Dr. Rachel (Dr. Russell) Jones and Monica James; and six grandchildren.
Services took place April 2 at Temple Tifreth Israel in Beachwood. Burial was in Mayfield Cemetery. Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Endowment Fund, 3512 Darrow Road, Stow 44224.