Szweda, Kathleen

Born in Buffalo on August 23, 1954 to Edward and Susanne Thompson, Kathy was the eldest of 8 siblings. Though she had humble beginnings she went on to graduate high school and begin at Buffalo State College to pursue a biology degree. Kathy put many hours in at Niagara County Produce throughout her college years. She met Rich at the Buffalo State Pub at the end of her freshman year of college. They happened to have a notable serendipitous mutual friend – the late Roy Press – and began their many nights of comraderie together at the Queen’s Hotel in Fort Erie. A common date they shared that Kathy liked to tell the stories of was rubbing elbows with Buffalo Sabres star Gil Perreault at Brennan’s Bowery Bar in Clarence while enjoying the dawn of chicken wings. Kathy and Rich were married at the Buffalo State Newman Center on June 19, 1976. 

After they both graduated college, career opportunities necessitated moving to other cities for a few years. Kathy very fondly remembered their time in Pocatello, Idaho where she worked for McDonalds. She really enjoyed that atmosphere and always reminded us she could sing the Big Mac song without mistakes. In Chicago, Kathy worked at Halo Lighting, which led to several years at Empire Electric in Rochester, where they soon moved to be closer to family and out of a big city. They bought a house in Fairport NY where they would end up raising their family. Daniel was first, Elizabeth (Becky) came nearly 4 years later, and Veronica came 8 years after that. While raising the kids, Kathy worked for Cummins Northeast, followed by the University of Rochester Facilities Department. 

Kathy was an avid sewer and quilter. Us kids could always rely on her to repair holes in our clothes, hem our pants and dresses, and she was always making herself purses, bags, and other fabric pieces for around the house.  Her holiday “thing” was to make all her sibling’s kids and grandkids fabric or yarn ornaments, with each year being a different design. During the pandemic she made all her friends and family cloth masks out of all her colorful fabrics; and she did what she could to help her community by donating a large amount of those cloth handmade masks as well. Consistently when her kids were in grade school, she made herself available to help with such things as the swim team booster club, volunteering for school activities, and being Cookie Mom for Veronica’s Girl Scout troop. Kathy loved reading books, and would take great pride in her yearly lists of titles that she finished. Kathy devised a genius system around the birdfeeders in the front yard for pristine bird watching conditions. She loved the group of birds – particularly the blue jays, cardinals, and woodpeckers – that would visit throughout the year. Kathy even had names for the chipmunks that would run around. She found so much joy in nature. 

Eventually, both Dan and his wife Anna and Becky had their own kids – Fred, Frank, and Olivia. Kathy absolutely loved being a grandmother. She made them custom quilts and pillowcases, and generally spoiled them. The grandkids brought her so much joy during the last years of her life. 

All who knew her would say that Kathy was incredibly kind, generous, and good natured. She always had a beaming smile and great sense of humor. She was a bright light in this world, and her legacy will live on through her kids and family. 

Special thanks to Barb Thompson Bolt and Colleen VanScott who provided invaluable help with Kathy’s care. Thank you to her oncology team at Wilmot Cancer Center including Dr. Fung and Sue Sargent NP and the nurses and volunteers at The Advent House. 

Kathy’s siblings:

Trish  

Ed

Carol 

Barb 

Lynn

David

Randy

she took great pride in being your big sister and loved you all so much.

Included in her very long list of friends are: 

Diane Theurer Farbman 

Yvonne Mescall

Dave and Judy Boyle

Jim (Linda) Capodagli

Michele Dorak

Barb Thorogood

and many others in a list too long to mention. 

Thank you all for making a positive impact on Kathy’s life. 

Funeral mass Saturday December 16 2023 at 11:30am St. John of Rochester Church 8 Wickford Way, Fairport.  

In lieu of flowers donations to Advent House, Fairport NY.