NEW BEDFORD — Patricia "Patty" Swift, 76, of Fairhaven and Bay View, South Dartmouth, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 at St. Luke's Hospital.
She was the daughter of the late Guy Carlton and Helen (Jennings) Swift.
Born in New Bedford, she lived in this area all her life.
Self-schooled, she took courses at Bristol Community College later in life and was recognized by her professors for her composition and was at the head of her class.
She sold magazine subscriptions over the phone for several years.
Ms. Swift was an active member of the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, serving on the outreach mission committee, and had a longtime association with the First Congregational Church in Fairhaven. She was a delegate to and was on the board of the Greater New Bedford Inter-Church Council; she was a delegate to the church's Old Colony Association and the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Ms. Swift was an active member and emeritus vice president of the Independent Association.
She often was seen in the area in her motorized wheelchair with the American flag proudly displayed. She enjoyed Red Sox games, bowling boat trips and summers at Bay View.
Ms. Swift was a caring person.
Survivors include her caregiver, Terri Serna of New Bedford; distant cousins; friends; and her church family.
She was a friend of the late Bill Reed.
Her funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 5, 2006, at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday in River-Side Cemetery, Fairhaven, Ma.
Remembrances may be made in her name to the memorial fund of her church, P.O. Box 80608, So. Dartmouth, MA 02748