Patricia Shane Swigert
March 19, 1941 – September 27, 2024
Patricia Shane Johnston Swigert peacefully passed away with her family at her side on September 27, 2024, in Lebanon, New Hampshire. She was 83.
Shane was born on March 19, 1941, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Margaret Galloway Johnston and R. Ben Johnston. She attended Battle Creek Central High School and graduated from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan in the spring of 1963. The summer after graduating from Hillsdale, on August 23, 1963, she married her college sweetheart, Paul Swigert. Shane and Paul enjoyed 61 wonderful years together. Shane started her career as a teacher, became a young, energetic, creative mom of two, and later worked for IBM while raising her two children. She retired from IBM in 1992.
Shane had many eclectic interests and adventures throughout her life. A competitive swimmer, at the age of 11 Shane saved her 10-year-old cousin from drowning in Gull Lake, for which she was celebrated as a “heroine” in the Battle Creek Enquirer. Shane medaled in her age group racing in the Bolder Boulder 5k, ran a half marathon in Richmond, Virginia, and practiced yoga every day. A fierce Yankee fan, Shane had an interest in all sports.
Shane acted in plays while at Hillsdale College and on her much-loved Useppa Island. She was an avid reader and loved mysteries, could cook anything, always had an herb garden, enjoyed photography, loved sailing on the Patty P, painted, knitted beautiful scarves, hats, and blankets, collected owls, wrote original songs, and played the ukulele. Shane loved her family. Shane loved people. Shane loved life.
Throughout her life, Shane lived in nine states, which included Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, Texas, New York, Virginia, Florida, and New Hampshire. Shane was active in the Episcopal Church, and she completed ‘Education for Ministry’, an intensive course of study in theology at The University of the South.
Shane thought about and cared for everyone close to her, including her many, many dear friends. She is survived by her husband Paul; her children Brett Linda Stapleton and Thomas Paul Swigert; her son-in-law Paul Stapleton; and her beloved five grandchildren: P.J., Luke, Margaret, Morgan, and Annabelle, leaving a legacy of love.
A piece of advice: “Burn your candles and use your cocktail napkins.”