Mary C. (Kelly) Swanick

Mary C. Swanick

1934 - 2021

Mary C. Swanick (nee Kelly), 87, of Drexel Hill, died peacefully on May 28, 2021, exactly the way she lived, surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Catherine Kelly and husband, Donald J. Swanick. She is survived by her daughter Kathleen Connelly (Michael) and her six sons Donald Jr (Joanne), Michael (Mary), John (Mary), James (Sharon), Stephen (Kristin) and Matthew (Barbara); 24 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.  

Mary, an only child, grew up in Upper Darby, graduated from West Catholic Girls High School, and later, Misericordia Nursing School. She married Don Swanick in 1956 and together they raised seven children, first in Havertown and then West Chester, PA. After raising their children, Mary went back to nursing at Camilla Hall Infirmary in Malvern. She spent 25 years caring for the IHM retired sisters where she received as much love as she gave.  

Mary loved spending time with her family, playing tennis and summering in her beloved Sea Isle City.  In addition to her love of family, Mary’s Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her life. She lived her beautiful faith every day in daily mass and prayed the rosary daily for the multiple and unending intentions of her growing family.  In her later years, when her memory of our names was long forgotten, the songs and prayers of mass were sure and strong.

She lost her husband to cancer in 1982 and mourned him dearly. After Don’s passing, Mary moved back to St Dorothy’s Parish in Drexel Hill so she could be closer to her children.

Mary and family spent their summers in Sea Isle City NJ.  Mary loved the shore: walking the beach and the boardwalk, sunbathing (without sunscreen) during the day with the kids, going to dinner at Busch's Seafood Restaurant, eating sugar twist donuts from Maryanne Pastry Shoppe and watching her sons and daughter play in summer league basketball games in the evenings.  Mary and Don had a lot of fun in Sea Isle and created many lifelong friends and memories.

Mary’s closing years were spent at Villa Raffaella Assisted Living in Pleasantville NJ, in the loving care of the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy, where she was loved like one of their own.

Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 10:15 am on Friday June 4th at St Dorothy’s in Drexel Hill, PA. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Villa Raffaella Assisted Living, 917 S Main Street, Pleasantville, NJ 08232.

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