Catherine Louise Swaney

Catherine Louise Swaney passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 5th, 2021. She was born in Mount Vernon, New York on September 16, 1946 to the late Frederick and Gladys (Dixon) Scelzo.
Cathy is survived by her sons, Mark (Michelle) Holmes and Sean (Rose) Holmes; grandchildren: Nick Thielmann, Jessica, Bianca, Titus, Riley, Reagan, and Mikaela Holmes; and brother Fred Scelzo. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jeff Scelzo.
Cathy grew up in Franklin Square, New York, but spent her adult life here in the Michiana area. Cathy had a personality that filled any room she was in. She had an infectious laugh that you couldn’t help but smile when you heard it. She was fluent in sarcasm, had a great wit, and was just plain fun to be around. She made friends easily, but always had a great circle of close friends. She had her “Phillips family” during much of her professional life as an Executive Assistant, whose stories of their escapades are still causing cheeks to hurt and sides to split. In her semi-retired life as a Penn “lunch lady,” she had her “Hairnet Hunnies” who were every bit as crazy, fun-loving and big hearted as she was.
Cathy had lots of interests over the years. She loved everything about horses; raising, riding, training, and competing in 4-H Speed and Action classes. She passed on that love of animals to her sons. She was a dog lover who doted over her pets. She dabbled at farming with all types of livestock. Along with the horses, she tried her hand at pigs, goats, chickens and rabbits. Just a part of the Cathy experience. She enjoyed fast cars, swing dancing, motorcycles, and gardening. She had a passion for the holidays, especially Christmas and Thanksgiving, but also loved making Halloween costumes for her grandchildren. She had an eye for interior decorating and antiques and was often asked to help set up family or a friend’s house. As a hobby, she had an antique booth at the flea market, but that mainly served to feed her desire to turn trash to treasure more than making a profit. She loved to cook and her lasagna was legendary.
Her passion, her humor, her heart and her zeal for the “now” are holes that can’t be filled. She will be missed.
Visitation is from 4-6pm with a Memorial Service service beginning at 6 pm on Saturday March 27, at the McGann Hay Granger Chapel, 10320 SR 23, entrance is off of Cherry Rd. Memorial contributions can be made to the Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 CR 19, Bristol, IN 46507. To send private condolences or to share memories, please visit www.McGannHay.com