Michelina Swankie

Michelina Swankie (nee Campesi) passed away from COVID-19 on Saturday April 11, 2020 in Voorhees, NJ. Michelina – known as Mickey, or Mickie, was born in East Orange, NJ August 26, 1929, and grew up in Union, NJ; and upon graduation worked at the Prudential Insurance Company. After marrying the love of her life, William T Swankie Jr. (Bill) in 1950, they made their home in New Providence, NJ and raised their family. As her daughters Paula and Lisa grew up, they were nurtured with love, compassion, and encouragement – and she instilled discipline and goal setting in their lives. She taught them to confront adversity with grace and determination. Her home was open to everyone – she greeted her daughter’s friends with open arms and enjoyed catching up on all the details in her daughters’ lives. She loved to entertain especially at the annual Christmas Eve party. She was the ultimate wife and homemaker. She loved her husband and managed the home with flair. She loved to cook every day and her family especially enjoyed her delicious homemade meatballs, chicken cutlets and other savory dishes. As her children grew up, Mickie went back to work at the Howard Savings Bank in Livingston, NJ. In addition to her career as a homemaker and outside the home, she maintained a very close relationship with her mother - who lovingly called her daughter “Lilly”. They saw each other almost daily while running errands. Toward the end of her mother’s life, Mickie was the caregiver, unselfishly giving of herself.

With her children grown and married, Mickie and Bill moved west and resided with Lisa, her husband Bob Muldowney and their family in Clinton, NJ for many years. Throughout that time, her mothering continued as she helped raise her grandchildren, Russell and Melissa, as Lisa dealt with a long battle with breast cancer. As Mickie and Bill aged, their health shifted, and they moved in 2014 to Voorhees Center Genesis - a skilled nursing facility in Voorhees, NJ; however, just a few weeks later, Bill passed away. Mickie was ever resilient and through her painful grief, she was able to adjust to life without Bill, making many friends with the other residents and staff. Mickie really enjoyed all the recreational activities – especially Bingo and the variety of musicians that entertained the residents weekly.

Mickie always looked forward to the monthly visits from her daughter Paula DeLiso (Bob) who traveled from California and especially from the frequent visits from her grandchildren traveling from Alexandria, VA, Conshohocken, PA, Washington D.C., Atlantic City, NJ, and Easton, PA: Michael C DeLiso (Melissa), Claire DeLiso Miller (Matt), Catie DeLiso, Russell Muldowney (Gianna) and Melissa Muldowney (Oscar) as well as her sons-in-law Bob DeLiso and Bob Muldowney. Her face would light up the room when she was visiting with her most beloved great-grandchildren Bobby DeLiso and Sidney Muldowney.

Mickie’s smile and enthusiasm for life will be forever missed by all - including those she was so happy to be with for her 90th birthday celebration in August 2019. In addition to the DeLiso and Muldowney families, others who joined were cousin Rosemarie Chandler and family - Jill and Emmet Coyne; cousin Fran DeAndrea (John); Brother-in-law Dick Swankie and family - Michele Swankie Brennan (Matt) and their children Danielle and Katie; Michael J DeLiso (Dot); Joe DeLiso; family friends Colette and Joe Camisa; and Tony Infante. Michelina now joins her family that pre-deceased her: husband Bill Swankie (2014), Children Lisa Muldowney (2010), Patricia Swankie (1956), and Billy Swankie (1960), her parents Aurelia (1980) and Frank (1975), and her sister Anna (2018).

Please pray for this unselfish and loving woman – shall she forever rest in peace. A memorial mass will be held at a future date to be determined. Meanwhile, she will be inurned at St. Teresa’s Mausoleum in Summit, NJ.

Memorials can be made in Michelina’s name to any of the following charities:

Cathedral Choral Society. Mickie loved music and the arts and admired how her granddaughter, Catie , sings with the non-profit, at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. https://tix.cathedral.org/TheatreManager/2/login&donation=23

Clinton First Aid and Rescue Squad. Mickie benefitted from their services when she lived in Clinton for many years: https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=23-7000760&vlrStratCode=Yh3qvS6xTumY0k7D7vXDsddT4mVVSXHLQ2B0zbuyL6hC%2bJxDXAuvUBVL%2bXhJ0gIK

The Centers for Autism. Mickie admired how her granddaughter, Claire, works tirelessly with preschoolers with Autism at this non-profit: https://www.thecenterforautism.org/donations/

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