Lucia Kathleen Biondo

Lia Biondo, of Washington DC, passed away unexpectedly in Billings, Montana. It was the day after her 32nd birthday and she was preparing for one of her favorite activities in the world – a trail ride under the Big Montana Sky. Lia was the wife of Dante Joseph Swallow, of Washington DC, and the daughter of Angelo and Kathy (DeWeese) Biondo, of Michigan. Lia is survived by her brother, Frank (Ashley) Biondo, her sister, Diana (Mitch Darga) Biondo, her grandfather, Fred DeWeese, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives. She was predeceased by grandparents, Francesco and Lucia Biondo, and grandmother, Diana Obara.
Lia grew up in Shelby Township, Michigan, she graduated from Eisenhower High School in 2011 and from Michigan State University in 2015, where she studied Environmental Studies and Agriscience. After graduation, she moved to Washington DC to pursue her passion for agriculture, animals, and the environment. While working for Western Skies Strategies for almost a decade, Lia served the U.S. Cattlemen's Associate as Director of Federal Policy and later as Executive Vice President. In this role, she was a dedicated and passionate advocate for cattle, rangelands, and the American west. In her most recent role, she served as the Senior Analyst in Agricultural Policy at the Library of Congress.
Lia was always a free spirit. Horses were the center of her life from an early age. She fell in love with them at age 3 and by age 6, she was already taking riding lessons. At age 11, she experienced every little girl's dream, getting her first horse, Alfa. Lia later went on to own Penny and Baby Belle, these would be three of the greatest loves of her life. She rode for her high school's equestrian team and brought home countless blue ribbons and trophies. Lia loved all animals, and will be especially missed by her beloved Australian Shepard, Jax, who lived life glued to her hip.
On Tuesday, July 29th, a "Cowboy Funeral" is being hosted by Jess Peterson and the team at Western Skies Strategies in Billings, Montana.
For her family and friends in Michigan, a memorial visitation will be on Friday, August 1st from 3:00-9:00pm and a Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, August 2nd at 10:00am at Wujek-Calcaterra Funeral Home, 54880 Van Dyke Ave, Shelby Township, MI 48316. At the Celebration of Life, family and friends are encouraged to share their memories and stories of our beloved Lia. A luncheon will follow at Ernie's Mill, 16655 19 Mile Rd Clinton Township, MI 48038.
A scholarship in Lia's name is being established by Western Skies Strategies honoring her steadfast belief in encouraging women to pursue education in agriculture and natural resources. Checks payable to Western Skies Strategies (note: "in memory of Lia") may be mailed to Western Skies Strategies, 109 North 27th Street, Suite 600D, Billings, MT 59101.
"Get me a horse and a never-ending horizon and I think I'll be just fine." – Lia Biondo
A Memorial Visitation will take place on Friday August 1st from 3-9pm and Saturday August 2nd at 10am until the 11:30am Memorial Service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons (Shelby Twp.) 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. Share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com.