Alexandra Naomi Lirtzman

Jim Henson was quoted as saying once "As children, we all live in a world of imagination, of fantasy, and for some of us that world of make-believe continues into adulthood."

Alexandra was the "some" he spoke of.

Alexandra Naomi Lirtzman was born April 12, 1978, in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the first child of Alan and Maria (nee Perez) Lirtzman. Over the next eight and a half years, she became the proud big sister of Ethan, Abigail and Efrem. Alexandra made their childhoods magical, turning bathtime into a dinosaur cooking show, making baking cookies into castle building, and transforming the woods in the backyard into a town. She was always a cheerleader and counselor who knew just what to say.

Alexandra grew up a voracious reader—if there were written words, she was reading. She also danced, performing in many recitals alongside both her mom and little sister. In High School she pursued her love of singing, participating in choir and several musicals. Alexandra was also a member of the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus. She did not, however, like being woken up by trumpet. After graduating from Sycamore High School in Montgomery, Ohio, in 1996, Alexandra attended The Ohio State University where she earned a degree in Medieval and Renaissance European History in December 1999. In 2006, Alexandra followed in the footsteps of her mother, Maria, graduating from the Good Samaritan College of Nursing in Cincinnati. She walked in graduation wearing her pin and her mother’s pin in honor of Maria who had recently passed away from breast cancer.

While at Ohio State, Alexandra found her true passion—Renn Faires! A cast member of both the Ohio State Renn Faire and the Ohio Renaissance Festival, Alexandra’s energy and humor mixed with her incredible knowledge of the time period made her a beloved character by visitors and fellow cast members alike. She was a Rennie through and through, who spent many seasons at the Faire, for work and leisure. Thanks to revelry in the colorful world of garments, performance and friendship- Renaissance Faire was one of her most natural elements. She had a passion for art, history, garb, thrifting for the thrill of the unknown treasures, and even made her own jewelry.

Alexandra met the love of her life, Sam, in 2009. They shared a colorful life bursting with all things nerdy and fun. Gaming, conventions, the Faire, LARP and more. Their home was a collective of games, books, trinkets, antiques, costumes, garb and cozy clutter. Together, they were part of warm, welcoming, energetic groups for RPGs and LARP.

Following naturally from her role as the best big sister, Alexandra became the very best aunt to her hoard of nieces and nephews. She was the fun auntie, who always brought her flair for the whimsical side of life, appreciation of art, adoration of Jim Henson productions, and love of books to share with the children in her life. She connected with each of them in a special way, whether sharing a love of all things sparkly (tiaras!), recommending a new book, singing shanties and ballads, teaching D&D, or giving the most perfect gifts. She also served as a nurse advice line for her anxious siblings trying to parent kids who bounced but also sometimes got hurt. Her nieces and nephews were “begrudgingly” allowed to call her Aunt Anay since her brothers and sister never managed to stop.

Alexandra is at peace after a two year battle with cancer, that defied the bleaker odds given to her. She was preceded in death by her cherished mother, Maria Lirtzman, and all of her grandparents. She is survived by her beloved husband, Sam Schardt; father and step mother, Alan and Susie Lirtzman; siblings Ethan (Paige) Lirtzman, Abigail (Tomo) Ono, and Efrem (Gretchen) Lirtzman; nieces Emily, Isabel, Rainn, Cordelia, and Natalie; nephews Xander, Cooper, Kainan, Fletcher, Ari, and Ed; aunt, Josefina (Mark Cohen) Perez; many more aunts, uncles, cousins, and too many friends for us to count.

We love you so much, Alexandra, and you will be missed but there will always be a seat at the table—gaming and Thanksgiving—for you.