Joanne Swigart
Miss Joanne Swigart of Butler passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, Dec. 30, 2020, at her residence at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot.
Joanne was born the last of seven children in Vowinckel, Clarion County.
She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Prospect, 115 Church St., Prospect.
Joanne graduated from Butler High School, then Slippery Rock University with a major in elementary education. Her education continued with two years at the University of Denver, with a major in library science, a year at the University of Pittsburgh, two years at the University of California with a major in education, a summer back to Slippery Rock with a major in remedial reading, and lastly five summers for her master's degree in education. She was highly trained to be a teacher of elementary students and to be a librarian.For a time, she lived on an Indian reservation in New Mexico and Arizona, and taught with joy, young American Indian children. She also taught young Vietnamese, Cambodian and Spanish-American children as well as children of migrant workers. Education was very important to Joanne, and she passed this on to her students.She was an avid reader. After retiring or moving into another area, she received many accolades citing her teaching skills, her caring about her students, and her lively personality. If an opportunity presented itself, they would love to have her return to the classroom or the library.Joanne was a very determined lady, and she lived her life her way. In younger years, Joanne was very athletic, enjoying participating in many sports! If you were Joanne's friend, you had a friend for life.Surviving are her nieces and nephews, Valerie Swigart of Pittsburgh, Garrison Swigart of Newport, N.C., Lynn Large of Butler, Deborah Burgun, Diane Beauchamp and Jeffrey Fisher, all of Newark, Del., Susan Swigart of Virginia Beach, Va., and Amy and Joel Swigart, both of Butler.Joanne is the last surviving member of her family. Preceding her in passing to their greater reward were her parents, Alfred and Anna (Hetrick) Swigart; and her siblings, Alfred Swigart, Herman Swigart, Lucetta Fisher, Nettie Swigart, and two infant brothers.Also her constant companion for many years, her cute Pomerania Doodle, Danny, preceded her in death just a few months before Joanne.As Joanne would say, “Let's get this show on the road.” Advice from this delightful fun lady would be: Always be kind to young and old, people of color, and those who for whatever reason have nothing to give back. Just love, love, love!In addition to her family, those left to cherish her memories are Stan and Cecelia Dodds, Pete Bryan, Lynn Busch, Ellie Lojek, Irene Maser, Duke and Fonda Snyder, Bob and Stacey Wolinski, Bob and Mary Fisher, and Pastor Steve Cort. These kind and caring folks helped Joanne to have an independent life.As we say goodbye to our Joanne, she would tell us she has “Gone upstairs.”SWIGART — Visitation for Joanne Swigart, who died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Church of Prospect, 115 Church St., Prospect.Burial will take place at North Side Cemetery in Butler. Family and friends are invited to attend.Please wear a mask, practice social distancing, and plan to honor Joanne.Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler, is assisting the family with arrangements.Memorials for Joanne can be made to the Presbyterian Church of Prospect, 115 Church St., Prospect, PA 16052.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
