LOUISE SWIFT Obituary

SWIFT, LOUISE, 93

Gainesville - Louise Swift, 93, passed away June 18, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Marie Louise Nadeau was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 29, 1919. Louise graduated from Immaculata High School in 1937, and played oboe in the Wurlitzer Band in Chicago. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1941 with a liberal arts degree. During her college years she was president of her Chi Omega sorority chapter, served on the Panhellenic Council, was in Shiai Honorary Society, played oboe in the Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of Mortar Board.

On July 6, 1941, she married Frederick James (Jim) Swift Junior. While Dr. Swift served his country during World War II, they lived in Louisiana, North Carolina, and California. When Dr. Swift was deployed overseas, Louise moved with their young son, Frederick III to Oak Park, Illinois.

After his military service ended, the young couple moved to Maquoketa, Iowa, where Dr. Swift was a family practitioner and surgeon. In 1951 they added Nancy to their family. In addition to caring for her family, Louise found time to actively participate in her community. She was a troop leader for the Girl Scouts, a member of Beta Sigma Phi service sorority, and performed in Peace Pipe Players, a local theater group. She also found the time to become a private pilot and was a member of the Ninety-Nines, a women's flying organization. She also flew in the Sky Derby.

Louise and Jim moved to Gainesville, Florida in 1970. In Gainesville she was a member of the Gainesville Garden Club, the Bonsai Society of Gainesville, and Queen of Peace Catholic Church. She also served as a volunteer with the soup kitchen at St. Francis House and at Shands Hospital.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Nancy Swift Chapman and her husband, David Chapman of Fort Worth, Texas; son, Aaron Green of Salem MA; granddaughter, Jessica Chapman and her husband, Emmanuel Dimiccoli of Paris, France; and sister-in-law, Regina Sagers of Amana, Iowa.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, July 13, 2013, 11:00 AM, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32607, with Father Jeffery McGowan as celebrant.

Published by Gainesville Sun from Jul. 11 to Jul. 12, 2013.
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Always loved to visit my Aunt Louise and Uncle Jim in Iowa and in Florida. Uncle Jim was always doing something creative with astronomy, ham radio or similar technical fiddling. Louise was always a lady of near perfection with her amazing skills in Bonsai, Icibana flower arangements, and good works. They will be truly missed.

Julie Combs

December 30, 2013

Louise was my beautiful, charming, sophisticated aunt. I was always in awe of her incredible bonsai garden. Nancy, she was so supportive of me and mom, calling often and reaching out. She was an amazing woman.

Susan Dawson

December 30, 2013

Louise and Jim were our next-door neighbors for several years. One could not have wished for kinder nor more interesting neighbors. Their backyard reflected their lives with a waterfall, a Koi pond, and many of Louise's Bonsi plants.

Pat Powers

July 12, 2013

Louise was a beloved friend, as was her husband Jim. We also moved to Gainesville in 1970 and met the Swifts soon after. Louise was a long-time recorder player with Mary. Louise and Jim were both outstanding people and they will be missed.
Bill & Mary Sullivan

Mary Sullivan

July 11, 2013

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