WESTFIELD – Barbara L. (Foley) Swords, 86, longtime resident of Westfield, died Friday December 21st, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Springfield on June 14, 1926 to the late Frederick Foley and Stella (Hennessey) Foley.Educated in Springfield schools and an alumni of Sacred Heart. Barbara has been a resident of Westfield since 1950. Employed by The Springfield Republican early in her career, she also worked as a travel agent, and a realtor. Also employed at Noble hospital as the TV hostess and in the admitting office, where she retired from in 1988. In her retirement Barbara served on the Westfield City Council for 22 years, from 1986 to 2008. She served as past president of the city council, Past Chair of the Natural Resources Committee, Board of Director of the Winding River Land Conservancy, Past Chair of the Barnes Aquifer Protection Advisory Committee, Member of the Former PVPC Water 2000 Committee, Community Advisory Board – Westfield Air National Guard, Westfield River Watershed Association, The Nature Conservancy, The Sierra Club, The Westfield Woman’s Club, The Westfield Historical Society and Saint Mary’s Confraternity. In 1996 Barbara was honored as the Westfield Parade Marshal in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade. She served as vice-Chair and past secretary of the Westfield Democratic City Committee. She will most be remembered for her unconditional love, generosity, grace and wisdom.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Richard C. Swords, Her daughter, Pamela Gay Swords and her husband Arnold Gay Jr., Her sons Patrick and Kevin Swords, and her sister, Marcella (Foley) Cooper. She leaves behind her daughter Cynthia Smith, son Christopher and his wife Christine, son Keith and his wife Rebecca, son-in-law Michael Smith, daughter-in-law Leah Swords, grandchildren Meagan and her husband Chris Lecki and Brianna Gay, Katie, Lindsey and Kyle Swords, Ryan and Deidre Smith, Brendan, Bridgid, Timothy and Rachael Swords, Samantha and Sierra Swords, Jonathan, Colin and Noah Swords, also her great-grandchildren Sean and Jacob.
The Funeral for Barbara will be Friday, December 28 at 9:00 a.m. from Firtion- Adams Funeral Services, 76 Broad Street Westfield, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St Mary’s Church with burial to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to The Citizens Scholarship Fund in memory of the Swords family, P.O. Box 382, Westfield MA 01086-0382, The American Red Cross, 48 Broad Street, Westfield MA 01085, The Winding River Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 1836, Westfield MA 01086, or the charity of one’s choice.
