Geraldine (Gerry) Veronica Smith Swiney, 100 years young, died on August 28th 2018, at the home of her dear daughter, Mary Patrice, whose tender loving care and unselfish companionship made the last decade of her life so pleasurable. She was surrounded by her devoted and ever-loving family.
Born in Jersey City, on December 27, 1917, Gerry graduated from Saint Dominic Academy as Valedictorian of her class. In 1940 she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The College of New Rochelle, New York. She taught English at Henry Snyder High School, Jersey City, and pursued further education at Seton Hall University.
Gerry met her loving husband, Lieutenant Commander Merrill Swiney, M.D. and they were married at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City, on July 4th, 1942. Her cousin, Reverend Joseph Malloy, CSP, celebrated the Nuptial Mass. The young couple lived on the Naval Bases at San Diego, California and Bethesda, Maryland, until Merrill was assigned as Medical Officer to the USS Otus in the South Pacific.
Gerry and Merrill raised seven children in Jersey City and Spring Lake. Gerry supported all of the Parent Organizations and activities of the schools they attended: Saint Aloysius, The Academy of Saint Aloysius, and Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City; Saint Catharine School, Spring Lake, and Saint Rose, Belmar. Geraldine seemed to be able to handle every changing situation with a unique combination of elegance and humor.
She was a member and past secretary of The Hudson County Medical Auxiliary and a volunteer at Saint Catharine School Library. She was known for her kindness as she worked in her husband’s medical office in Spring Lake. Gerry and Merrill led a pilgrimage to The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France for the Franciscan Program of Assistance to the Infirm.
In 2015, Gerry received the Ursula Lauris Award from The College of New Rochelle in recognition of outstanding character and service.
A communicant of Saint Catharine Church, Spring Lake and of The Church of Saint Martha, Point Pleasant, Gerry was a woman of deep-rooted and constant faith, which she so earnestly hoped and prayed would continue and flourish abundantly in the lives of her descendants.
The beach, pool, and boardwalk were favorite places of relaxation for Gerry, along with bicycling around Spring Lake, reading, traveling, aerobics and exercise classes. Through the many phases of her Life, her wit and wisdom, beauty and grace, Faith and caring, will be remembered and treasured by all.
Gerry was predeceased by her wonderful husband, Dr. Merrill A. Swiney in 2001; by her loving parents, Mary Malloy and Frederick Smith; and by her devoted sister, Miriam Elizabeth Smith.
She leaves her loving children: Dr. Merrill F. Swiney and wife, Alice of Lafayette, CA; Geraldine and husband, Joseph Metzger of Atlanta, GA and Hilton Head Island, SC; Pamela and husband, Paul Dorf, of Upper Saddle River, NJ; Mark Swiney, Esq. and wife, Paddy, of Tulsa Oklahoma; Mary Patrice Swiney, of Brick, NJ; Suzanne and husband, Joseph Carroll, of Cranbury and Spring Lake, NJ; David Sweeney and wife, Fiona, of Bethlehem, PA; 24 Grandchildren, who admired her and treasured every moment with her, and 25 precious Great-Grandchildren.
At the request of Gerry, there will be no visitation. All are invited to attend and participate in the Solemn Mass of Christian Burial, at the Church of Saint Martha, 3800 Herbertsville Road, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742 on Saturday, September 15th at 9 AM.
Burial will be held privately at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery to be together again with her beloved late husband.
O'Brien Funeral Home, Burnt Tavern Road, Brick, NJ is in charge of arrangements. On-line condolences can be sent to www.obrienfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Geraldine to:
Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) 5817 Old Leeds Rd. Irondale, Alabama 35210
or to The Church of Saint Martha 3800 Herbertsville Rd., Point Pleasant, NJ 08724