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Diana B. Schwenk, formerly of Southampton, died on December 4 at her daughter Representative Diana B. Urban’s home in North Stonington, Connecticut, surrounded by loved ones and her beloved Labrador retriever, Oscar. She was 91.
Ms. Schwenk was born in Yonkers on October 20, 1924, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Barnes II. She attended the Halstead School in Yonkers, and the University of Vermont. She graduated from the University of Arizona where she was crowned “Desert” Queen. She met Edwin “Buzz” Schwenk while spending the summer with her family in Water Mill and purchasing milk at Schwenk’s Dairy in Southampton. They were married in 1947 at the Little Church Around the Corner in New York City and settled into life in Southampton running the family dairy business.
Avid horse and riding lover, Ms. Schwenk enjoyed fox hunting with the Smithtown Hunt, teaching riding lessons to local children, and was responsible for the revival of the Southampton Horse Show, which is now the highly successful Hampton Classic.
She was a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and St. Andrew’s Dune Church where she was a chalice bearer, member of the music committee, and assisted with the children’s choir for more than 25 years.
Ms. Schwenk was a member of the Meadow Club, where she often played tennis and croquet. She was head of the junior tennis team and brought them back to champion status by literally driving house to house to rouse young juniors out of bed for the inter-club matches.
She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and an avid bridge player at the Rogers Memorial Library. Survivors said she will be remembered for her devotion to her husband, family, church, animals, and for her commitment to the Republican Party.
She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Edwin M. “Buzz” Schwenk and a son, Edwin Christopher Schwenk. She is survived by two daughters, Diana B. Urban of Connecticut and Kathryn R. Root of Vermont; two brothers, Victor Gerard Barnes of Texas and Benjamin F. Barnes III of Virginia; and three grandchildren, Alexander “Lex” Urban of Washington, D.C., Kathryn “Kate” Root of Washington, D.C., and Kirsten Root of Vermont.
A memorial will be planned for early next summer with a private burial at Southampton Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue Fund, www.arfhamptons.org or an animal rescue charity of the donor’s choice.
on Dec 21, 2015