Ishild Johanna Swoboda

Ishild Johanna Swoboda was born July 27, 1937 in Allenstein, East Prussia, Germany (now Olsztyn, Poland). In early childhood, Ishild survived World War II while living in Berlin with her family. She grew up pursuing her education with dedication and excellence, earning her MD degree at Frei University and then emigrating to the United States with Edward Allan Swoboda, a U.S. Army intelligence officer whom she met and married in Berlin.

As mother of two young daughters, Ishild completed her pediatrics residency at Georgetown University at a time when women physicians were uncommon in the United States. Ishild then earned a Masters in Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University. As a physician, she devoted her career to improving child and maternal health in the District of Columbia, where she served in the Health Department for over 25 years.

In retirement, she and her husband spent many joyful days at their beach house in Delaware. She helped raise her grandchildren, whose families lived nearby her Fairfax home. She loved to hike and was still playing tennis at age 80.

Ishild's faith guided her life. She gave generously by volunteering at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church.

Ishild is survived by her devoted husband, Edward, whom she fondly called Allan through their 66 years of marriage; also surviving her are her daughters, Kathrin Swoboda (Pradeep Nayak) and Barbara Swoboda (Eric Fredell); her six cherished grandchildren Rodger (Monica Martinez), Katrina, Jesse, Lucy, Joe and Cassie; and her two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Nadia. She will be remembered with love and admiration by all who knew her.

A memorial Mass will be held at noon at Saint Ambrose Church in Annandale, Virginia on November 28, 2025. Visitation will begin at 11 am followed by burial at nearby Pleasant Valley Memorial Park and a reception at the church parish hall.