Letitia Popa Schwartz

Letitia Popa Schwartz, died on November 2, 2022 in Las Vegas after a long struggle with Hydrocephalous induced side-effects. Born in Romania in 1935, she graduated from Romania's famous Institute of Cinematographic Art I.L. Caragiale in 1956.

After making the TV film “The Dowry” (Zestrea) in her native Romania, Letitia Popa directed a remake for the big screen and made another two films for theatrical release: “Who Calls Me?” and “On the Mainstream.” Letitia has directed and written over forty TV films and two mini-series. She also directed theatre at the prestigious National Theatre in Bucharest. Letitia immigrated to the United States with her son. She married and relocated to Los Angeles where she worked under the name of Letitia Popa Schwartz directing documentaries, theatre and films. She directed “The American Dream” by Edward Albee and the “Ghetto Cabaret” written by Joshua Sobol. The show was the “Critic’s Pick” (Backstage West), “Pick of the Week” (LA Weekly) and Critic’s Choice - Garland 2002. She received a local Cable Ace nomination for the documentary “H.O.M.E.,” a Gold Medal for Best Director at the Sofia Film Festival, and twice a Special Award at the Monte Carlo Film Festival. She wrote a screenplay, “An Offering of Oranges,” inspired by a true story.

Her final movie “HUMBLE BEAUTY: Skid Row Artists,” was about homeless artists in Los Angeles (a joint effort with Judith Vogelsang on a documentary). The film received rave reviews aired on PBS stations and online (the movie is still available on Amazon Prime). FilmThreat.com called the film a "first-rate, profound documentary," with "seamless, unobtrusive filmmaking." It also happens to be the movie where she met her husband, Enrique Marquez (a very talented artist).

More importantly, she was a loving human being with a booming laugh and a love for life. She is survived by her son, her husband, two grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.

A funeral service for close family and friends will be held at Bunker's Mortuary on Monday November 7th at 12:30PM. Flowers and condolences may be sent attention Cari Poscente at Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd N., Las Vegas, NV 89101.