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BORN
1934
DIED
2016
Nancy Swett Obituary
Pittsford: Ann Alexander "Nancy" Beatty Swett, 81, who had been walking with Parkinson's disease with her usual grace and courage, died on April 15th, 2016, surrounded by her children.
Nancy was the youngest of four children, born in 1934 to Helen Shoemaker and Edward F. Beatty, of the Brandywine Battlefield Farm in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Her character was shaped by her family and her time at the School in Rose Valley, where she enjoyed shop class and climbing trees.
At age 16 she met John E. Swett of Medina, NY when both were summer employees at small resort in Connecticut - they stayed in contact, and married on August 9, 1958. A proud member of the Wellesley class of '56, Nancy took a job teaching 2nd grade at Lincoln Avenue School, which brought her and John to Pittsford village, where they raised their family.
Nancy took great pleasure in helping others and working to support causes she believed in. She was a docent at the Memorial Art Gallery for over four decades, and a volunteer in Rochester Public Elementary Schools # 3 and #6. Nancy believed conversation between individuals could build bridges between people and nations: she was involved in Sister Cities and various exchange programs, opened her home to many international visitors, and held leadership roles in the Rochester Association for the United Nations. After being her husband's primary caregiver during his journey through Alzheimer's disease, she served as a support group co-facilitator for the Rochester Alzheimer's Association for over ten years.
Nancy leaves behind her children: Benjamin (Santa Monica, CA), Stephen (Hingham, MA), Alice (San Francisco, CA), and Walter (Montclair, NJ); as well as grandchildren Christine, Annie, Nina, Beatty, Erety & Ruth.
Nancy was full of pep, loved the outdoors, and enjoyed her daily towpath walks with friends - regardless of the weather.
A celebration of Nancy's life will take place on Saturday, April 30th at 10:30AM at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street, Rochester (for transportation help please call 585-955-3229).
To honor Nancy's concerns and passions, her family encourages gifts to ROC the Future, a program to improve outcomes for young children in Rochester's public schools (c/o the Rochester Area Community Foundation), and/or to the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Swett
Debby Grant Rodrigues
March 12, 2023
I am the granddaughter of Marion Swetts best friend in Medina. Marion was so proud of her family, and we adored her visits. I am reminiscing today and found her daughter in law´s obituary, and find myself sad, but envisioning the swett reunion via the universe. An amazing, beautiful family.
Michael Liberatore
April 3, 2018
I am sad that I only came across this obituary now. I would bring Mr. Swett to the YMCA when he was diagnosed with alzheimers while I was an undergraduate at St. John Fisher. Mrs. Swett was always so persistent in her care of him and I was happy to be able to give her time a few hours a week to get out for her walks when Mr. Swett and I could no longer go the YMCA for his runs. I lost touch with Mrs. Swett when I moved abroad. She had such energy and passion and I am honored to have known her and had the chance to hear about her life and commitments.
Jann Packard
April 25, 2016
I remember when our second daughter was scheduled to be in Nancy's second grade - but - she was pregnant so would not be teaching that year! Interesting that same daughter was W '75 (her daughter W '06)...and I W '48. We lived around the corner from Sutherland. I knew John as a school board member when I was at the MC School Boards Association. Many contacts with these two wonderful persons through the years. May your happy memories of them stay bright through the years ahead.
Steve White
April 23, 2016
When my Marie passed away, Nancy sent me a thoughtful note of condolence. It helped sooth my loss. It was always a pleasure to chat with her on the trail on our hikes. She was a kind and gentle soul. She will be missed.
Devil's Bath Tub, Mendon Ponds
Suzanne El Rayess
April 22, 2016
I will miss you, Nancy. I will always remember seeing you and John walking together along the canal together; she were so caring.
Suzanne, a Wellesley and Pittsford friend
Marcia Layton Turner
April 22, 2016
As soon as Nancy heard that I was a fellow Wellesley alum, she approached me and introduced herself years ago. She was outgoing, friendly, and very kind and I'll always remember the effort she made to make me feel welcome.
April 20, 2016
We will miss seeing Nancy on Granger Point. She was always so pleasant and easy to be around.
Mike and Kathie May
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
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