Pat Swieca
Pat Swieca, 70, of Buncombe, died at 9:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at her home.
She was born on July 20, 1942, the daughter of Archibald “Jack” Macabee and Nellie Maxine “Sue” Bronstad Macabee.
She married Mitchell Swieca on Oct. 9, 1983.
She was a retired zookeeper. She had a career of 30-plus years at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. She was a charter member of American Association of Elephant Managers. Her elephant trainer mentors were Don Meyer and his wife Joan. While employed at the zoo she was able to go to Arizona on a snake hunt.
She volunteered at Hillview Nursing Home, where she played the piano and read to the residents. She was a member of HCE Homemakers Group in Vienna as well as community chairperson for the group, where she organized Art in the Park for many years.
She and her husband liked to participate in Civil War reenactments with the 4th Kentucky Cavalry and Company E 2nd U.S. Cavalry.
She was a member of the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir, was a group leader for Vacation Bible School, volunteered for Pioneer Club and helped with Dollar Dog Days.
She is survived by her husband, Mitchell of Buncombe; two daughters, Leslie (Edmund) Santellano of Buncombe and Kristi (David) Buck of Oakfield, Wis.; four grandchildren, Branden Buck, Lauren Buck, Jeremy Baron and David Santellano; two sisters-in-law, Charlotte (George) Roos and Patricia June Swieca; dear friends, Nikki Nance, Joe Fontanetta and Pat Sass; other relatives and friends; and her church brothers and sisters.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Jeffrey Wiard; and her step-father, Frank “Pop” Smith.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Anna with the Rev. Jonathan Whitley officiating. Interment will be on the family farm in Buncombe.
Memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
To leave online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.