Anne O'Hara Swofford

Rita Anne O'Hara Swofford, 94, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024. Anne (Rita on paper only), was born at home on the family farm on September 13, 1929, the second of 5 children, in Ruma, Illinois to William and Irene O'Hara.
Anne met the love of her life, Bill Swofford, on a blind date in St Louis, Missouri. Bill was swept off his feet by her sense of humor, charm and beautiful red hair. A farm girl educated in a one-room schoolhouse & Red Bud High School, and a college-educated city boy fresh from East St. Louis, were married for 68 years, 65 happy ones as Bill would joke!
Anne and Bill's first home in St Ann, a suburb of St Louis, MO, welcomed Charles, Mike and Julie into the world. They moved to Florissant, MO, and along came Susan and Nancy. Anne was most proud of raising her 5 kids and doting on her grandkids.
Following Bill's job promotions, they moved the family from the St. Louis area to Branford, CT, then to a hill-nestled home in Hingham, MA where they lived for 22 years. Each place they landed, Anne created warm, loving spaces for memorable family gatherings. Among the grandkids, you will find many special memories of Nanny, including the hot tub, tin of M&M's and homemade cinnamon applesauce.
Together they enjoyed visiting family and friends across the US and traveled internationally including Japan, Russia, Ireland, England, Scotland and a memorable last trip to Italy.
Anne and Bill retired to The Villages, FL in 1995 where they enjoyed 23 more happy years together until Bill's death in.2018. After an additional 3 years in The Villages, Anne made her final move to Lakewood Ranch, FL in 2021 to be near her youngest daughter Nancy.
Anne is remembered fondly for her quick wit, positive attitude, and lifelong love of sewing, cooking and gardening. She loved to tell stories about working for Mr. Alexander, a prominent Armenian tailor in St. Louis. In Hingham, she was well known for hosting fabulous dinner parties. Anne's love for flowers and fresh vegetables was cultivated as a child in her mother's garden.
All agree that, at her core, she was generous and thoughtful. She was raised helping others around her and had a gift for it. She had a knack for remembering birthdays, a reputation for delivering a home-cooked meal to any family in need, and the patience and character to donate her time at hospitals and hospice houses.
Anne and Bill were both devout Catholics. Following in her family's footsteps, Anne's spiritual side emerged in her later years as she joined a centering prayer and meditation group at her church. She continued to donate to Catholic Charities, Maryknoll Brothers & Sisters, and Habitat for Humanity to the end.
Anne is survived by her youngest sister Mary O'Hara Wyman (Larry); 4 of her 5 children: Charles (Sharon), Michael, Julie (Andy), and Nancy (Bill); 9 grandchildren: Will (Jen) & Laura (Jason), Mike (Leah), Tim & Summer, Chip & Danny, and Annie (Ben) & Allyson (Tom); 7 great-grandchildren: Isla & Zoe, Benjamin & Noah, Jack & Henry, and Eli; and by many nieces and nephews, including some O'Hara's still on the family farm in Ruma, over a hundred years later!
Anne was preceded in death by her parents Irene and William O'Hara; husband Bill Swofford; daughter Susan Swofford Moukalled; and siblings Jane O'Hara Carter, Genevieve O'Hara Brueggemann, and Patrick O'Hara.
We would like to thank the staff at Windsor Reflections Memory Care for providing Anne a caring home for the past 2.5 years and Tidewell Hospice for the care provided in the final 2 weeks.
Mass and inurnment will take place Sat May 18th, 10:30 am, St Patricks Catholic Church 1 Pioneer Ln, Ruma, IL. Sentiments may be left online at Maloney Funeral Home: https://www.mfhcares.com/obituaries/anne-swofford
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the non-profit Tidewell Hospice: https://tidewellfoundation.org/donate/