Sandra Ann Smith Swiger, Class of 1955, passed away Wednesday, October 24.

Her obituary incorrectly lists her as a 1956 Monongah High grad, but Sandy was in the same class with my sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, who lives in Rivesville. During Jackie’s first year at Fairmont State Sandy would pick up Jackie and the late Jean Meredith at Carlot’s Grill and drive them to the college on the hill in Fairmont.

In later years, Sandra and Jackie exercised at the same spa in Fairmont.

At Monongah High, Sandra was on the Student Council, a Prom princess, in the legendary Monongah High band that won state honors regularly, in the class play two years in a row, vice president of the Future Teachers of America Club and an office girl in the principal’s office.

Sandra attended Monongah High Alumni Reunions in 2005, 2010 and 2012. Sandy also attended the Class of 1955 dinner in 2015 at the Three Ways Inn in Fairmont.

She was the widow of Fairmont West grad Charles Swiger.

Sandra was a daughter of Fay and Martha Smith, who lived on McCue Street (formerly Front Street) below the Michna house and between Jake and Mildred Fullen Puffenbarger & George and Katy (DeFazio) Manley families.

 

Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949, my Monongah bureau chief, is a daughter of Jake and Mildred.

Ramona Fullen Michalski emailed me:

“Sandra and I were lifelong friends.   We were neighbors growing up on Front Street as it was called then.  We spent a lot of time at each other’s homes.

“Sandra spent some time in Europe when her husband, Charles. was in the service. Sandra was always so pleasant and fun to be with. 

“RIP, Sandra!!“

Other Swigers at Monongah High:

Donna Post Swiger, Class of 1955.

Jackie Jett Swiger, Class of 1961.

Jimmie Swiger, Class of 1961, who lives in Rocklin, California and attended the 2017 and 2011 Monongah High Alumni Reunions.

Harley Swiger, Jr., Class of 1962, and Debbie Swiger, Class of 1972.

Paul Swiger, Class of 1964.

Judy Swiger, Monongah High grad.

Sandra’s obituary:

Sandra Ann Smith Swiger, 82, of Fairmont, West Virginia passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at Fitzwater’s Assisted Living. Sandra was born in Monongah on September 25, 1936, a daughter of the late Fay Thomas Smith and Martha Carlton Lavelle Smith. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Charles Eugene Swiger.

Mrs. Swiger is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law, Bradley C. & Lynette D. Swiger of Bunner Ridge Community and Scott & Denise Swiger of Fairmont, WV; four grandchildren, Abigail Mayer and her husband David “Mookie” Mayer of Fairmont, WV, Emily Hawkins and her husband Jacob Hawkins of Colfax, WV, Zachary Swiger and his companion Samantha Feltz of Colfax, WV and Isaac Swiger of Fairmont, WV; four great grandchildren, Amelia Gail Mayer, Emma Rae Mayer, Cora Parker Mayer, and Haven Ann Hawkins; and a sister, Rhonda Kenney of Morgantown, WV.

Sandra was a retired Kindergarten Aid at the East Park Elementary School and a longtime member of Gateway United Methodist Church. She was a 1956 graduate of Monongah High School and attended Fairmont State College. She enjoyed quilting, traveling, antiques, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and socializing with her many dear friends.

The family requests memorial contributions be made in Sandra’s memory to Gateway United Methodist Church, 301 Diamond St., Fairmont, WV 26554.

The family has entrusted arrangements to Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, WV 26554. The family will receive friends at Gateway United Methodist Church, 301 Diamond Street, Fairmont, WV 26554 on Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the church on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. with Reverend Tim Edin officiating. The committal service will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery & Mausoleum in Fairmont, WV. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com .