Patricia Suzanne Swaney

Patricia Suzanne Swaney was born on August 14, 1930, in Derby, Kansas. She was the daughter of Bernard A. Swaney and Madge Dixon Swaney. She passed away June 17, 2017 in Broomfield, Colorado after a six year battle with cancer. Patricia was raised on a farm near Derby, Kansas. Her maternal grandfather was Dr. William Ellsworth Dixon, one of the original Derby physicians. Her paternal grandparents were Frank William Swaney and Jennie McCrea, some of the original settlers of Sedgwick County. She worked for Mobil Oil Corporation for 44 years. She started in the Augusta Kansas refinery, then moved to Dallas, TX in 1965 and on to New York City in 1977. She then worked overseas in London, England for several years before returning to Mobil’s Headquarters in Fairfax, VA in 1983. She relocated to Broomfield, CO in 2014 to be closer to family. Ms. Swaney was an active member of the Smithsonian Museum James Smithson Society and enjoyed international travel. She enjoyed reading mystery novels and spending time with her family and friends. She was an active member of the St. George’s United Methodist Church in Fairfax, VA. Memorial services will be conducted at Smith Mortuary, Derby, Kansas at 10 am on Saturday July 1, 2017. Burial will follow at the El Paso Cemetery in Derby. Ms. Swaney is survived by her nephew Kurt D. Swaney, his wife Julia, great nieces Erin and Rachel, great nephew Andrew and great-great nephew Charlie. Memorial contributions may be made to either the St. George’s United Methodist Church, 4910 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-4513 or to the Smithsonian, James Smithson Society, PO Box 37012, MRC 712, Washington, DC 20013-7012, Attention: Laura Brouse-Long. Please annotate that contributions are in memory of Patricia Swaney.