Kathleen D. Swihart

Kathleen was born June 26, 1933, on a naval base in Shanghai, China, to Homer and Edith Davis. During her childhood, she moved with her family throughout the U.S., before graduating from high school in Hawaii. She attended Lynchburg College in Virginia earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She taught in Department of Defense schools in Germany before returning to teach in Fairfax and Arlington counties in Virginia.

Kathleen met her loving husband, Charles Duane Swihart, at National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Washington, DC where they married in 1962. They made their home in Arlington, Virginia where they raised two daughters.

Kathleen had a strong Christian faith. She spent over 40 years devoting herself to service at National City in the various roles of Church Visitor, Associate for Senior Adult Ministry, and Associate for Membership. She was also a Deaconess and a past President of the Christian Women’s Fellowship. Kathleen was also an integral member of the Alexandria Community Bible Study for almost 50 years providing leadership, friendship, love and care.

Kathleen was known for sending greeting cards for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day and many other occasions. And because she enjoyed stamp collecting, she would always note on the envelope to please save her the stamp!

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband Duane after 46 years of marriage, her brother Glen Davis and sister Virginia Moore. She is survived by her children, Teresa Swihart and Carla (Bill) Wilson; her grandchildren, Kevin (Kerry Ann Pini) Wilson, Melissa Wilson, and Grace Swihart; her sister, Elaine Shanley; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025, from 4 to 8 pm at Murphy Funeral Home, Arlington, VA. The funeral service will occur on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 10 am at National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle, Washington, DC, followed by a burial and reception at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, Arlington, VA.