Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Swider

1/16/1950 - 12/22/2025

Colchester - Kathleen Ann Swider, of Colchester, passed away Dec. 22, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Bernice Brown and wife of James Swider of Colchester.

Kathleen was born in Norwich, Jan. 16, 1950. She attended Norwich Free Academy, before earning her bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern Connecticut State University in elementary education. She taught in the Norwich school system for 30 years in grades four and five. She began teaching at Elizabeth Street and finished at Uncas Elementary school before retiring in 2002, which was the same year her husband retired from Cohanze School in Waterford.

Kathy enjoyed walking several miles every day on roads near her house. She sold vegetables at Swiders Farm in Colchester. Kathy and Jimmy also liked to travel to historical locations in the United States. Kathy and Jimmy were married in 1973.

He survives her, along with her sister, Elizabeth Gernhard; nephew, Andrew Gernhard; niece, Lisa Oliver; and their families and other cousins. She was predeceased by a favorite aunt, Celeste Busch. A special thanks to her caregiver, Lesley Perez, who cared for her for over a year.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at the Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home in Colchester. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 30, directly at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Colchester.

For online condolences or to share a story of Kathy with her family, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.