Born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1927, she was the only child of a Naval officer and housewife, Edward and Lulie Loughead. While growing up she was an avid student and went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from The Women's College of Greensboro,North Carolina with a BA in English. She studied piano from a young age and played classical piano until health problems prevented her from doing so in old age.
She married Oral Raymond (Ray) Swigart in 1951 as he began his military career in the Marine Corps. They were married for 28 years and had four children (Raymond, Robert, Katherine and Thomas). Over time, the family moved around the country to various posts in the military, finally settling in the Annapolis area in 1978.
When her husband died an untimely death due to cancer in 1979, she returned to school and received her music degree and taught piano in the Cape St. Claire community for over 25 years. Katherine was a long-time member of Gloria Dei Church and sang in the choir. She was a generous and compassionate mother, always willing to listen and give advice and comfort.
She is survived by three of her four children (Robert having died earlier this year); two daughters-in-law (Ziona Mossman Swigart and Susan Vreeland Swigart); and two grandchildren (Annie and Amalia Swigart).
We take comfort that she is now at peace.
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