Adrienne Mary Swindeman, 84, died peacefully on Feb. 6, with her family at her side.
Born Adrienne Mary Dwyer in Sydney, NSW, Australia, she spent her early years living in country towns and the Blue Mountains of NSW. She attended the University of Sydney and was a librarian with the Public Library of New South Wales in the state Department of Agriculture library.
Mrs. Swindeman met her husband, Robert Walter Swindeman, while he was working for the Atomic Energy Commission in Australia on loan from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She and Bob were married in Lane Cove, Australia, and moved to Oak Ridge, where they raised their family and lived happily for almost 60 years.
Mrs. Swindeman was an active member of St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge, where she served as president of the Council of Catholic Women and as an officer of the St. Veronica’s Guild. She also was involved in many other groups and organizations, including Church Women United, her Bible study group, Meals on Wheels, Recording for the Blind, Camp Fire Girls, Oak Ridge Jr. Playhouse, and several bridge clubs.
She considered her greatest achievement to be the nurturing of faith in her children and grandchildren, which had been handed down through the generations by her parents and grandparents.
Mrs. Swindeman is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Jessie Dwyer; daughter-in-law, Jessica Swindeman; and dogs, Barry, Dudley, and Barney.
She is survived by beloved husband, Bob Swindeman; sister, Margaret Dwyer of Sydney, NSW; brother, Jim Dwyer of Sydney, NSW; children, Catherine Swindeman Hilty and husband, Jim, of Summerville, S.C., John Swindeman and wife, Elizabeth, of Knoxville, and Michael Swindeman and wife, Lisa, of Liberty Township, Ohio; and grandchildren, James, Elena, Jackson, Isabelle, Evelyn, Peter, Julia, Emily, and Thomas.
A funeral Mass for Mrs. Swindeman was celebrated at St. Mary Church on Feb. 11. An inurnment was held March 4 at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.
Donations in Mrs. Swindeman’s memory may be made to St. Mary Catholic School or Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.
