Mary Magdalene Swider "Granny" Mary Magdalene (nee Dushanko) Swider, 70, of Southampton, Pa., passed away June 8th, 2010 at home with family and friends by her side following a chronic battle with diabetes. Mary was born on May 29, 1940, in Hazleton, Pa., to the late Stephen and Mary (nee Moran) Dushanko. Mary came from humble beginnings where she grew up in Harleigh, Pa. as the eldest daughter of eight children. Mary graduated from Hazle Township High School, Class of 1958. Following high school, she enrolled in nursing school in Hazleton followed by working in Lehigh Valley Hospital in downtown Allentown where she trained and completed her requirements for earning the title of a nurse anesthetist. Upon meeting her eventual husband at an AMVETS dance "upstate" in the summer of 1964, she has settled in Bucks County since 1965. Mary was employed as a certified-registered nurse anesthetist by Saint Mary's Hospital/Medical Center from its beginnings in 1973 until 1996. As a well-known woman around the hospital, she was loved and respected by her colleagues and staff both of the past as well as more recently as a patient. Before St. Mary's, she worked within the Warminster and Abington Health Systems. In addition to her affection of the hospital surroundings where she dedicated a great amount of her time and efforts, Mary found immense enjoyment in her "second job" which included partaking in the lives of her children. As opposed to resting between shifts, she shared in the experiences of her children as a swimming mom at Maplewood Swim Club, William Tennent High School and Spirit Swimming where she was her kids' best cheerleader. Additionally, she sacrificed her time to be a homeroom mother in the Centennial School District where her duties included the organization of undertakings which benefited the students, a chaperone involved in many school-based activities and educational class trips, and the 4-H Organization. When health issues forced her into retirement in 1996, Mary continued to play a pivotal role in her family's lives. Although dealing with heart troubles, complete blindness and kidney failure, she made it a point to do all she could to make it to events in their lives whether she was well or not. Mary always emitted a warm and memorable smile no matter what her personal circumstances entailed. She also was a client of the Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Newtown, Pa. where she participated in anything and everything from Diabetic Support to social activities. Mary loved the friendships she developed over the years at the Blind Association and spoke of other clients in the kindest of terms. Faith was an essential part of Mary's life. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic Church in Levittown, Pa. where she was deeply-involved in the affairs of her parish family. She will be missed by those who would stay after the Divine Liturgy to sit and discuss with Mary at the "family pew". Mary was predeceased by her loving husband, Frank Swider, in 2007 with whom she shared 41 years of marriage. She is the loving mother of Mary F. Barr and her husband Kevin Barr of Holland, Pa., Frank J. Swider, who followed in his mother's footsteps and is a registered nurse at Abington Memorial Hospital, and his wife Danielle Swider of Willow Grove, Pa., Susan M. Doyle and her husband Daniel Doyle, Stephen M. Swider and his wife Catherine Swider of Fredericksburg, Va., and Michael J. Swider and his wife Lisa Swider, who lived at home with Mary and served as her caregivers. In addition to her children, she is the grandmother of 12 beautiful grandchildren with one more arriving in the coming weeks. Mary is also the loving aunt of numerous nieces and nephews. Truly it was her family, friends and faith which assisted and comforted her through the numerous medical challenges that she overcame with dignity and grace. Mary had a strong affinity for life, taught others what endurance entails and shared her perpetual love with all. Those who knew her are better from having such a wonderful woman in their lives. Family and friends are invited to call Friday, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown where a Parastas Service will be held at 8:00 p.m.. Friends may also call Saturday, from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home where the Panachida Service will be held at 9:30 a.m.. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church followed by Rite of Committal in Sunset Memorial Park. Memorial contributions would be appreciated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1787 Woodbourne Rd., Levittown, PA 19057 or the Frank Swider Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o 2200 Trenton Rd., Levittown, PA 19056.
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