Patsy Mae Williams Swift

SWIFT, Pat M. July 7, 1924 – December 7, 2012 Patsy Mae “Pat” Williams Swift died peacefully in her sleep early December 7, 2012 at the age of 88. Pat was born July 7, 1924 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Elva “E.C.” and Irene Williams. She began married life with her sweetheart Lloyd G. Swift on Valentines Day, February 14, 1941. Pat graduated from Wichita Falls Sr. High School that spring and gave birth to their first daughter, Nancy, in December of that year. Two more daughters and two sons were to join the family. Pat had a thirst for life, family, travel, and serving others. She truly “counted her friends and not her years.” She had many friends closer to her children’s ages than her own. Miles never kept Pat from being a part of her children’s lives. She made a point of traveling to see each child annually and to be there for the birth of her grandchildren. Pat’s beautiful Texas drawl surely entertained many as she read the newspaper for Radio Talking Books and lead tours as a docent at the Joslyn Museum. She also volunteered at the American Cancer Society and at the office of the Nebraska Med Center, where she served on the transportation team and made blankets for cancer patients. A two-time cancer survivor, Pat volunteered with Reach for Recovery and Methodist Hospital by visiting patients and making baby caps for the newborns. She loved walking with friends and survivors at the “Walk for the Cure” events. As a volunteer at West Hills, she taught Sunday school, rocked babies in the nursery and helped in the church’s kitchen and library. She was also a proud member of PEO, a women’s philanthropic organization. Pat and Lloyd were recognized several times for their many hours of volunteering. Pat was an excellent seamstress, sewing dresses for her daughters and making beautiful needlework and quilts. She had an artistic eye and painted watercolors which her children proudly display in their homes. Through the years, Pat’s travels included a year-long exploration of the United States with Lloyd and their then three children in a shiny new Chevy and matching trailer house. Honduras by banana boat, Panama and Alaska by cruise ships, and Ireland by air were a few of her many ventures. Pat was preceded in death by her loving parents, husband, son-in-law Don Abel, and eldest daughter, Nancy Gosselink. She is survived by her son-in-law John Gosselink of Willis, Texas; daughter Patty Stansbury of Plano, Texas; son David (Boe) Swift and his wife, Joyce of Omaha; daughter Heidi Abel of Gresham, Oregon, and son Jon Swift of Denver, Colorado.; grandchildren John Gosselink, Peter Gosselink, Natalie Mercer, Nila Stewart, Ben Swift, Molly Swift, Patrick Abel, Trevor Abel, Justin Abel; 9 beautiful great-grandchildren; brother E.C. Williams of Santa Fe, NM, and sister June Stanley of Roswell, NM. A Celebration of Pat’s Life will be held Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 1:00 PM in the sanctuary of West Hills Church located at 3015 South 82nd Ave. Omaha, NE 68124 (402) 391-8788. Casual and cheerful dress is requested for this celebration. In lieu of flowers, Pat requested that donations be sent to these organizations close to her heart:Nebraska Medical Center, 987421 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-7421, Attn: Office of Development (To support the further workings of the Volunteers); or to the West Hills Church Memorial Fund, Omaha, NE

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900