Joan Molly Iris Swiatkowski of Milford, New Jersey passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024 while in her daughter's care in Dallas, TX. Born in Ipswich, England on August 30, 1923 to Reuben and Florence Smy. During WWII while Joan was serving in the ATS (the woman’s branch of the British Army) she met Raymond S. Swiatkowski, a soldier who was recovering from serious wounds received in battle. They were married in England on March 30, 1946 and soon moved to the USA. After living in Connecticut and northern New Jersey, they settled in Holland Township, near Milford, NJ.

In addition to St. Edward’s choir, the local Woman’s Club, and Altar Rosary, Joan loved animals, gardening, baking, canning, volunteering, the shore, and playing the piano. She was always taking in stray animals and giving what she could to wildlife. Later in life, loving flowers, she would sit outside looking at the garden almost every day. Joan had celebrated her 100th birthday milestone and yet still retained her strong and curious spirit.

Joan was preceded in death by both of her parents, her husband Ray of 36 years and all 10 of her siblings. She is survived by all her children, Marion Bechtle (Ronald) of Virginia, Joan Swiatkowski of Texas, Wendy Swiatkowski of Florida, Raymond L. Swiatkowski (Cynthia) of Texas, Mark Swiatkowski (Deborah) of New Jersey; six grandchildren Franklyn Ill, Heidi, Sally, Crysa, Danielle, and Jason; six great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Edward the Confessor, R.C. Church, 61 Mill Street, Milford, NJ.  Interment will follow at the Milford Union Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the care of the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Milford, NJ.

Anyone wishing to donate on her behalf is asked to do so to their local SPCA, the Dementia/Alzheimer's organization, or St. Edward the Confessor R.C. Church, Milford, NJ.