Sheila Swigert

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Longtime St. George resident Sheila Cooney Swigert, 88, a retired teacher whose passions were reading, traveling, and animals, died peacefully at her home.

Sheila joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1955, just out of high school, and played trumpet in the WAC band, which traveled the country. After leaving the Army in 1957 to marry Dr. Roger Swigert, Sheila went on to receive a BA from the University of Akron and an MA from Rutgers. For over 20 years, she taught history at Millburn High School in New Jersey.

In 1979, she joined the Naval Reserve and served in a submarine unit until 1997. During that phase of her life, she and Roger divorced, and she met her partner Phyllis Fichtenholtz through a personal ad. They enjoyed many adventures together.

Sheila is survived by her niece Elizabeth Alexander and nephews Jeremy Cooney (Diane Lu) and Edward Cooney. Her two cats (the “boys”), Chester and Karl, stayed with her to the end.

She is preceded in death by her parents Anthony Leo Cooney & Helen Doran Cooney, brothers Richard A. Cooney (Nora Cooney) and Stephen P. Cooney, sister Anne W. Cooney, former husband Roger Swigert, and her partner of over thirty years, Phyllis Fichtenholz.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Sheila’s loving aides Esther, Estella and Sarah, and her longtime friends and building neighbors for their support.

A memorial service is planned for October 11, 2025, at Christ Church New Brighton on Staten Island. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037.