MARY JANE “MJ” SWICK
1927-2018
Mary Jane (MJ) Swick, 90, passed away with God’s grace on March 10, 2018, surrounded by loving family. Graciously welcoming to all she met, MJ lit up a room with her engaging personality, infections smile and good sense of humor. Always younger than her age in mind and appearance, Mary Jane lived a full, very active life and was devoted to her family, Catholic faith and life-long friends. Even in her last few years, she continued to make new friends while residing in The Buckingham.
Mary Jane was born in New York City and her childhood home was in Manhasset, New York. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Manhasset High School in 1944. Upon high school graduation, MJ signed federal enlistment papers into the Navy Nursing Corps. She was awarded a BS in Nursing from Skidmore College in 1948, working at Flushing Hospital (New York) upon graduation. Mary Jane married the love her life, Robert Louis Swick, in 1949, raising four children together while living in New Jersey, Connecticut, Texas and Toronto throughout Bob’s career with Esso and Exxon Chemicals. Mary Jane continued to practice part-time nursing and volunteered in Eucharist Ministry, Boy Scouts, booster club, AAU Swimming, Red Cross Blood Bank, Visiting Nurse Board, College Club, Junior League and Daughters of the American Revolution activities. She completed course work towards an MS in Education and taught part time in Connecticut public schools. She loved to sail, golf, ride horses, travel, swim and she was an awesome bridge payer. Mary Jane was also an avid bird watcher, researching to identify new birds throughout her travels and teaching golf friends how to identify bird calls.
Mary Jane is preceded in death by husband, Bob, father, Eugene Sydney Bigelow and mother, Ada Josephine Bigelow. She is survived by four children, Dana Swick Williams, Dean Swick, Jaimie Swick Rud (husband Joe) and Susan Swick Deason (husband Jim), five grandchildren, Amanda Deason Kurle (husband Michael), Katharyn Rud Cordero (husband Rafael), Kristina Mary Rud, Brian Christopher Rud and Grant Cordell Swick and two great-grandchildren, Jared Dwayne Kurle and Rafael Felipe Cordero.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc, Houston, TX, 77024, on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 10:30 am, with reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. Mass cards for Mary Jane are most welcomed.