RITA J. SWAMP

 

AKWESASNE – Mrs. Rita J. Swamp, 74, of 21 Swamp Road, unexpectedly passed away in her sleep Saturday, November 5, 2016 while traveling with her family in Rochester.

Rita was born November 26, 1941 in Akwesasne, the daughter of the late Abraham and Christie Laughing Herne. She graduated from Bombay High School and Mater Dei College before earning her Bachelor's Degree from St. Lawrence University. On September 2, 1967, she married Robert F. Swamp at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Jacobs, SJ, officiating. He predeceased her on March 29, 2004.

Rita worked for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe as the Director of Human Services for many years. She also worked at the Bombay Slipper Factory for many years and at the Akwesasne Family Wellness Center on Kawehnoke. Rita served her community as a Police Commissioner for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and a Sub-Chief for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. She was a communicant of the St. Regis Catholic Church. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, doing crafts, making jewelry, and stained glass. She also found great enjoyment gardening, garage-saling, cooking and baking for her family. She also cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and their nightly walks down Swamp Road.

Rita is survived by her children, Scott and Sonya Herne of Tonawanda; Arthur R. and Janet Swamp of Tsi Snaihne; Amie and Brian Barnes of Akwesasne; and Alison and Peter J. Herne of Tsi Snaihne; her grandchildren who were the lights of her life, Leanne, Casie, and Shana Coleman, Alanna Herne, Mikie Jacobs, Amber Strable, Nathaniel Jacobs, Keirsha and Kiara Swamp-Jacobs, Savannah Swamp, Kenkiokwine, Tewasherake, Tehanerahtaiens, and Parker Barnes, Kaidynce Henderson, and KC and LX Herne; and her great grandchildren, Kyah and Jeffrey Wood, Khile and Kalen Bennett, Emma and Rosalie Massey, and Amelia Jacobs.

Rita is also survived by her sisters, Patricia Pitts of Palmyra; Marie Casey and Millie Thompson of Akwesasne; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by a granddaughter, Katsitsientha Barnes on August 18, 2009, a great granddaughter, Sophia Massey; and three brothers, Earl R., Robert and Larry J. Herne.

Friends called at her home from Tuesday, November 8 until Thursday, November 10. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, November 10 at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores celebrating. Burial followed in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Akwesasne Cancer Support Group.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.

 

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