Obituary of Irene F. Swift
Irene F. Swift passed from this life on July 14, 2022, age 95, at the Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Boonville, New York.
Born October 26, 1926, in Syracuse, New York, Irene was the daughter of Polish immigrants Stanley J. Sikora and Katherine M. Banasiewicz Sikora. She graduated from Transfiguration of Our Lord School and later from Rome Free Academy in 1945. During her teen years and school vacations, she worked in several businesses including White Laundry and Rome Cable during World War II. Irene worked at Griffiss Air Force Base, ROAMA for 9 years and at CNYDSO for 20 years from where she retired on August 11, 1988.
Irene was a member of and recording secretary of the Rosary Society of Transfiguration Church, a life member of the Rome Polish Home, and a member of the South Rome Senior Center where she volunteered for 17 years and was former recording secretary for 11 years. Irene’s interests included flower gardening, especially tulips and rhododendrons. She also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, word searches and word jumbles.
On September 25, 1948, Irene married James E. Swift. James passed away on December 25, 1978. The couple were blessed with three children, one son-in-law, and one daughter-in-law: Laura L. Carmody, wife of John A. Carmody, Brian J. Swift, and James E. Swift who married Jacqueline. Irene is also survived by three grandchildren: Heather L. Carmody, Jennifer E. Carmody Wilson, wife of Michael Wilson, and Derek J. Swift and two great-grandchildren: Vivian Irene Wilson and Jack Henry Wilson. She was preceded in death by one grandchild, Jeffrey Carmody.
Irene’s family would like to express thanks to the caring staff at Sunset Nursing Rehabilitation Center, The Terrace at Woodland, Bethany Gardens Rehabilitation Center, and Brookdale Senior Living Solutions for their professionalism and support. Also, a special thanks to Jennifer Lavesa Cesana MD and staff for their medical assistance through the years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, at 11 AM, at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street on Wednesday from 5 to 7 PM.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.