By MARSHA S. ANDER
A Mass of Christian Burial, which was attended by about two hundred people, was held on May 20 at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Inwood. Pastor Lawrence Duncklee was celebrant of the service, along with Father Joseph Lynch.
Swift had attended the church since making her confirmation at the age of 13. She also taught religious education at the parish for 15 years.
Through her church affiliation, she had dedicated countless hours for the Senior Homebound Christmas Program, raising money for and spending time with indigent residents during the holidays. She was current president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, Our Lady of Good Counsel Conference, and a past president of the Inwood Civic Association.
A graduate of Lawrence High School in 1945, Swift, worked at the New York Telephone Company for 40 years. She entered the company as an operator and was promoted to management prior to retiring in 1985 as a planning engineer.
During a previous interview with the Herald, she explained that the telephone company fostered her dedication to others by introducing her to the Telephone Pioneers of America. "This is what we are supposed to be doing. By helping other you are showing love," she had said.
Swift had maintained her affiliation with the group, and was most proud of her work with the New York Telephone Pioneer Clown Troupe, which continues to entertain for non-profit groups, nursing homes and The Special Olympics. The group, has raised funds for the expansion of Mercy Hospital and aided the Five Towns Child Care Center.
Swift, in addition, attended board meetings for the Peter DiSibio Child Care Center in Inwood, where she was a former vice president during her two decades with the group. She was a co-chair of the Christmas Dream Program, raffle committee, and had been with the group since its inception since 1995. She was also a Democratic Committee Woman for the last two decades.
"She was just a very willing and concerned civic person," said Roy Meserole, who has been a member of the Inwood Civic Association since 1956 and had worked closely with Swift on many of the group's events and meetings. Meserole added, "Despite the fact that she had no children of her own she was always very involved with the Five Towns Child Care Center." He said her presence will be missed in the community.
Rosemarie Dorn, chairperson of the Inwood Civic Association event that had recently honored Swift, said "So many people were at the wake and funeral, and that shows how much she was loved by everybody. She will be missed, it's a loss for the community."
Her late husband, John Swift, who was a past chief of the Inwood Fire Department, died in 1982 at the age of 56.
She is survived by her sister, Sue Tiso of Mt. Tremper, New York, along with many nieces and nephews.
Burial followed at Calvary R.C. Cemetery in Woodside, Queens.
