Margaret Swidwa

Margaret Swidwa, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, with Fr. James Morris officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday with the Rosary recited at 4:30 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Birthright. Those wishing to sign Margaret's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mrs. Swidwa was born July 12, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to John & Sophia (Krzykwa) Konwinski. On September 3, 1949, she married Leo Swidwa in Grand Rapids. Margaret was a devoted wife and mother. She spent her time caring for her family. After the children were older, she worked part-time as a cashier at Wohler's IGA in St. Joseph. Margaret was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she served as a greeter and on the funeral dinner committee. She had a generous heart-always willing to help others. Margaret was often seen walking around town, both for exercise and as a social time, visiting with friends and aquaintances. She enjoyed a regular cocktail hour at home with her husband Leo, after which they would dance to their favorite songs in the living room. In her spare time, Margaret enjoyed flower gardening, and spending time with her lady friends at the casino, the Twin City Players, or at the St. Joseph Bandshell Concerts. Mrs. Swidwa is survived by four daughters-Lee Swidwa of Elkhart, IN, Alice Schmal of Benton Harbor, Diane Swidwa of Cadillac, MI, Julie Swidwa of St. Joseph; four grandchidren-John Clark, Maggie (Jay) Clark-Bischoff, Dan (Larison) Stuglik, Eric Stuglik; her great-granddaughter Johanna Bischoff; sister Rita (Gerald) Zimmerman of Grand Rapids; three brothers-John Konwinski, Robert (Vivian) Konwinski, James Konwinski, all of Grand Rapids; two sisters-in-law-Judy Konwinski of Placerville, CA & Adeline Konwinski of Grand Rapids; and numerous nieces & nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Leo on November 23, 2001, her infant daughter Judith Swidwa in 1951, and by three brothers-Ray, George & Thomas Konwinski, and by a sister Eleanor Wincko.