Catherine Elizabeth Swiggett

     Catherine Elizabeth Swiggett, age 89, of Magnolia, passed at the Milford Delaware Hospice on Saturday morning, October 26, 2024. She was born on July 31, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of the late Beatrice Loretta Hall and Phillip S. O’Connell Jr.  

     Catherine graduated from Delaware Technical Community College with an associate degree. She was employed at the Dover Housing Authority as the assistant administrator and Child Incorporated. Catherine was dedicated to ensuring that children were treated fairly and provided education to less fortunate parents. She was a very driven woman, allowing nothing to stand in the way of her goals. With her positive outlook on life and resilience, she overcame many hardships. She taught her children to be strong and independent, instilling a sense of purpose and drive. Teaching them always to be positive and never give up. During family gatherings, she often sat and told stories about her childhood in Philadelphia. She was a devoted Catholic, attending parochial school as a child and later becoming a member of the Holy Cross Church in Dover, DE. Although she could not attend church services as much as she would have liked, she welcomed God into her life daily. 

     Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Swiggett; two children Sharon Boller and Michael Greenlee (Karen); two stepchildren Thomas Greenlee and Francis A. Swiggett Jr.; two grandchildren Melanie Klimowski-Schuyler and Matthew Boyes; five brothers and two sisters, Thomas O’Connell, Peter O’Connell, Joseph M. Hall, Phillip Hall, Charles Crumb, Carol Crumb, and Sandra Crumb.

     Catherine is survived by three daughters and four sons-in-law,: Terry Dickerson (Lewis) of Magnolia, Pamela Klimowski (Gary) of Woodside, Sandy Brest (Mark) of Loveland, CO and Matthew Boller of Magnolia; one step-daughter Caroline (Sissy) Casper (Gary); six grandchildren George Palmer, Jason Mead (Erica), Meagan Iwaskiewicz (Patrick), Gary Klimowski Jr., Jessica Kimray (Ryan), and Mary Hinton; six step-grandchildren Angel Dickerson (Mitch Bradford), Amy Calloway (Matthew), Lewis Dickerson Jr., Jason Boller, Laura Boller (David Legates), and Samuel (Boe) Martz Jr. (Elaynna); eight great-grandchildren, Zackary McKinney, Nicholas Schuyler, Andrew Minner, Jason Conner Mead (JC), Tyler Mead, Evelyn Kimray, Crispin Hinton-Callahan, and Emilia Kimray; two brothers Robert Crumb and Max Crumb. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her. 

     A memorial service will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE 19934 where there will be a visitation from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Saturday.  Burial will follow in Barratts Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com. 

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