Edith Schwartz, 91, of Council, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home with loved ones on February 4, 2026, her 91st birthday.
Edith was born on February 4, 1935, the eldest child of Troy and Helen Clelland. Edith built a life defined by devotion – to her family, her faith, her work, and her community. A true partner in every sense, she worked side by side with her husband Tony on their ranch in Fruitvale, where they raised their five children and built a legacy rooted in grit, generosity, and love.
Edith was an avid hiker and backpacker after she retired from ranching. Her backpacking adventures took her into the Seven Devils, the Sawtooths, and the Frank Church Wilderness. Her hiking most often consisted of daily trips to the mountain behind her, where she would spend hours navigating steep terrain with her faithful dog, Sage. Edith’s love of nature was evident in her ability to name every plant, bush, shrub, and flower. Her love for animals was evident in the sparkle in her eye at the birth of every calf, the ability to identify one of her cows a mile out, how she trained her dog to stand still at the sight of a doe, and how she fed the turkeys, quail, snowbirds, and hummingbirds during the seasons their food was scarce.
Edith was a devout Christian with an unwavering relationship with God. She cherished her family. She was the balanced center of every gathering, the quiet problem solver, and the one who always made sure everyone was cared for. She was an exceptional cook and Dutch oven connoisseur.
Edith was passionate about forest clean up, spending hours on her property piling limbs from fallen trees. She became known for lighting those piles enthusiastically, and was eventually convinced to leave the burning to others, but not before the others became skilled at firefighting.
She was also a dedicated community member. Edith served as treasurer for several church boards and The Grange, and was a volunteer and later the Coordinator for the Council Senior Center. She volunteered time to the development of the Rails to Trails and oversaw many summer events for several organizations.
Hard work was her way of life – never for recognition, but because she believed in doing things right, caring for others, and leaving every place better than she found it. Her strength was steady, her kindness constant, and her presence a gift to all who knew her.
