Judith Swingle

Judith Ann (Judy) Swingle, née Criscuolo, of North Myrtle Beach, SC died on July 30, 2026 after a brief illness. Born in Trenton, NJ in the summer of 1940, she attended Hamilton High West and held many jobs in her long life – owning her own bar and restaurant, becoming a travel agent, and crisscrossing the world on countless cruise ships. She called Fairless Hills, PA and Toms River, NJ home before retiring to South Carolina in the early 2000s.

By birth a member of the Silent Generation, Judy didn’t do much quietly and was always quick to tell you what she thought. Jude had a wicked sense of humor to the very end. Always the entertainer, she shared a love for live music with many members of her family and treasured seeing her beloved Michael Bolton perform live.

She loved to host parties and cut up a dance floor. A Hawaiian-themed birthday party for her 75th, complete with a three-piece band and frankly too many guests in her two-bedroom condo, remains key family lore. No day was complete without doing her hair, donning a stylish outfit (yes, Jude, we know many still have the tags on them), and dabbing her signature coral lipstick, even if it was just to have a friend over for dinner. A perennial night owl, she was often up past midnight reading a classic 90s romance novel, working a crossword puzzle, or catching up on the latest celebrity gossip.

She was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Ronald Swingle (and was unafraid to loudly correct the priest who got his name wrong at his funeral in 2011), and by her parents, Walt Criscuolo, a Purple Heart World War II veteran, and Helen Middleton (née Rendemonti).

The granddaughter of Italian immigrants, she built her family from a young age. Judy navigated young motherhood the best she could, and she spoiled her grandchildren and great-grandchildren rotten. Later in life, “Did you eat?” was her favorite question; “I love you” and “I’m so proud of you” some of her most-uttered words. Asking if there was cake in her fridge was like asking if the day of the week ended in “day”.

She was mom to three children, of whom she was immensely proud: Dave Okun (Barbara), Sharyn Morris (Mike), and Wendy Swingle; grandma to Kelli Bollman (Jeff); David Okun (Rick); and Shannon Stevenson (Craig); and Gigi (great-grandma) to Lawson, Reese, and Banks. Sister to Ellen Beth Chianese (Dennis) and Charles Middleton Ronca (Mike). She also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Over the years, health issues became her ever present shadow. She made light of the aches and pains that come with more than eight decades on Earth. She bounced back from so much, at once invincible and ageless, but also very, very human. She kept the worst at bay through sheer strength of will for a time. Until, suddenly, she couldn’t. You always think you have more time, until one day you don’t.

Judy Swingle lived life on her own terms. Some might even say she trumped it. “I have no regrets. I did everything I wanted to do. I love you [all] so much,” she said. What more could anyone want, or hope to say, or wish to hear at the end? Nothing. And yet still, everything.

No services are planned at this time. The family will gather in private to celebrate Judy’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judy’s memory to St. Jude’s.