Nancy Smith-Swift Was Lector for St. Augustine

Nancy Gaynelle Smith-Swift of South Boston died March 19. She was 47.

Nancy was born Oct. 10, 1957, to Elmer Joseph Smith Jr. and Anne Valjean Work Smith. The youngest of three daughters, Nancy attended St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School in Perrysville, Pa., North Allegheny High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., and continued her studies through college, earning her MBA in management information systems from Robert Morris University.

Nancy began her diverse business career in 1985 when she was hired by EDP Systems and relocated to South Boston. Numerous promotions and career advancements were bestowed on her during her tenure as a senior systems analyst for several Fortune 500 companies including the Boston Company, Fidelity Investments and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Nancy, a Pittsburgh native enchanted by the Bostonian culture, purchased property in South Boston and immersed herself in the life of the local Boston community, supporting charitable causes such as the annual Snowball, the Race for Life, SailBoston, Fidelity Follies, the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She joined the Gates of Heaven choir and participated there as a lector to the faithful. She continued in her faithful devotion as a lector for St. Augustine in Vineyard Haven.

Her love for life inspired all, and on Jan. 8, 2000, she married the love of her life, Alaric K. Swift, the beloved son of Catherine and the late Dean R. Swift of Vineyard Haven.

She is survived by her husband, Alaric, of South Boston; her mother in law, Catherine Swift, of Vineyard Haven; her sisters, Valjean Anne Smith-Hodek and her husband, Robert, of Sarver, Pa., and Michele Anne Smith, of Bellevue, Pa.; her aunts and uncles, cousins and family and friends from across the country.

Arrangements are under the care of the John F. O'Brien Funeral Home in South Boston. Interment was held Thursday, March 24, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute of Boston or another charity.