Stephanie (Layton) Schwarze

PAWLING, N.Y. — Stephanie (Layton) Schwarze, 34, passed away suddenly on April 21, 2011, at home. In her typical way of serving others, she kept her suffering and disease process hidden from family and friends to keep them from suffering.She was born in Sharon on June 16, 1976, the daughter of Jane H. and James “Mott” Layton of Boynton Beach, Fla. Stephanie was well-known for her hard work and her desire to succeed. She unselfishly helped many people in her lifetime as a good person, as a nurse and as a yoga instructor. She graduated from Stissing Mountain High School in Pine Plains and Dutchess County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) as a LPN in June 1994. In 1997 she graduated from Columbia Greene Community College with honors. Stephanie then went on to Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., on an academic scholarship. She studied nursing and liberal arts and graduated with a bachelor’s degree.She practiced nursing as a hospital nurse, school nurse, camp nurse, home health care nurse and nursing educator. She strived to teach others that the profession of nursing was noble, difficult and interesting. She also tried to bring a smile to the face of everyone with whom she came in contact.Later in life, she decided to augment her nursing career by becoming a yoga instructor, hoping to bring a more holistic lifestyle to those she knew and taught. In addition to her kind and generous parents, Stephanie is survived by her husband and closest friend, Timothy Schwarze of Pawling; and her two beautiful loving sisters, Sonya Bradley of White Sulphur Springs, N. Y., and Sarah Layton of Plattsburgh, N.Y.A funeral service was held on April 26 at the First Presbyterian Church in Pine Plains, the Rev. Carol Miller officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.Stephanie wished to thank all the people in this tiny world who helped her. She also wished to convey that no small good deed from one human being to another is ever overlooked. A memorial scholarship in Stephanie’s name, for young adults wishing to continue their studies in health and human services, will be set up at Stissing Mountain High School, 2829 Church St., Pine Plains, NY 12567. Peck and Peck Funeral Home in Pine Plains is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online register go to www.peckandpeck.net.