Helen M. Swisshelm

Helen Marie DuCharme was born to Irene C. DuCharme and Alphonse J. DuCharme on January 27, 1931. She grew up in the Albany, NY area. She married Byron E. Swisshelm on October 12, 1973. They lived in Lutz, FL until his death in 2014. Her dedication to public service began in 1971 during her employment with Hillsborough County in such offices as the Board of County Commissioners, Supervisor of Elections Office, and the State Attorney’s Office, until her retirement in 1993. She continued to serve her community on the Tampa-Hillsborough County Library Board from 1990 to 2005 and as its Chair from 1992 to 1993. She was the founder of the Friends of the Lutz Library and was its President from 2000 to 2007. She was best known for her efforts in advocating for libraries in underserved communities, for her involvement in the expansion of the Lutz Branch library, and for her commitment to promoting good reading and communication skills through a variety of library programs and activities. On March 9, 2007, the Lutz Branch Library Reading Room was dedicated to Helen Swisshelm in recognition of her long and unwavering commitment to the Lutz Branch Library and the library system. The City of Tampa honored Helen Swisshelm for her many community contributions by proclaiming March 9, 2007 as “HELEN M. SWISSHELM DAY.” Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Byron E Swisshelm; and son, Harvey Yates, Jr. She is survived by her children, Brenda Yates, Mike Swisshelm, Bonnie Estes, and Joyce Diguardia of Stuart, FL; sister, Florence Gordon of Naples, FL and NY; 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 5 nieces; and 5 nephews.

Helen Swisshelm Interview - Lutz Branch Library on Vimeo

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