Susan Lonz Swick

Born in Norwalk, Ohio on August 23, 1945 to Clifford and Marian Lonz, Sue was the youngest of five in a close-knit family, attending Catholic schools and exploring musical interests with her siblings from a young age. After learning the lyrics to “O Come, Little Children” in German at age 2 and delivering a memorable public performance of “The Little White Cloud That Cried” at age 5, Sue sang her way through life, including chorus at St. Paul’s High School and an exquisite senior voice recital at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. Anyone who had the good fortune to sit near her in church or at chapel service during her teaching years will remember Sue’s beautiful singing voice.

In 1967, Sue married the love of her life, Kevin James Swick. The couple lived in Connecticut and Illinois before settling in Columbia, SC in 1976 when Kevin became a professor at the University of South Carolina. Sue was a devoted mother to her children Melissa, Tim, and Jim. She loved to encourage their interests, supporting her children through their involvement in plays, piano recitals, baseball games, band concerts, and more. Sue was always eager to attend live theatre, whether it was on Broadway when her daughter studied at NYU or decades later in Columbia for her grandchildren’s inclusive theatre performances.

Sue earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of Mount St. Joseph and a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. She taught fourth grade at St. Joseph’s School and seventh grade English and Humanities at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School for many years. She was honored with the Devanny Award in celebration of her contributions to education at Heathwood; a service award was also established in her name to recognize middle school students. Sue fostered a lifelong love of learning, encouraging readers and devising creative approaches for engaging with books. She also liked to have fun. Memorable endeavors included an annual tradition of seventh graders writing holiday books for first graders as well as the lively “Outsiders Day” when students dressed up as book characters, with Mrs. Swick costumed in a poodle skirt and saddle shoes. Sue loved teaching so much that after retiring in 2007, she returned to the classroom full time a few years later, continuing to teach 7th grade until 2020.

Sue was truly interested in other people and she loved finding the joy in life. She was guided by faith, finding inspiration in contributing good to the world.

She is survived by her children, Melissa Ellington (Robert), Tim Swick (Amy), and Jim Swick (Sally); her sister, Marianne (Lonz) Landoll and brother, James Lonz (Peggy); and her grandchildren, Bobby and Joey Swick, Susan Faith and David Ellington, and Kaydence Guynn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kevin James Swick in 2014; by her sisters, Carolyn (Lonz) Landoll and Marlene (Lonz) Schaffer; and by her parents, Clifford and Marian Lonz.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Inclusive Theatre Company of South Carolina (www.inclusivetheatrecosc.com) in memory of Sue Swick.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with entombment in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com