Catherine Ann "Kay" Swauger

Catherine Ann "Kay" Swauger, age 80, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, March 12, 2013, in Park Village Health Care Center, Dover.

Kay was born March 13, 1933, at Tritts Mills, near Akron, in the home built by her father and mother, John W. Sr. and Edna Pearl Maffitt Hughes. In 1948, she moved with her family to Tempe, Arizona where she graduated from high school in 1951. Kay attended Arizona State University, and met her future husband, Harold R. Swauger, who was stationed at Williams Air Force Base at Mesa. The couple were married in the Unity Truth Center at Phoenix on December 26, 1952. In addition to being a homemaker, Kay worked for the Integrated Circuit Division of Motorola at Mesa. In 1969, she, Harold and their young family moved to Harold's hometown of New Philadelphia, and Kay was employed by New Philadelphia Schools as a cafeteria worker, retiring in 1992.

Kay was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church and the First Church of God, both at New Philadelphia. She served the Lord faithfully, teaching Sunday school, serving as the president of the United Methodist Women, as a worship leader, member of the choir and as librarian. Kay was a member of the Order of the Amaranth, of which she was a Past Royal Matron and Grand Officer; she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Arizona; and was a Past Worthy High Priestess of the Order of the White Shrine, Dover. Additionally, Kay was an advisor for the Girl Scouts and taught crafts.

She was a talented artist and member of the Tuscarawas County Art Guild, serving as its secretary. Her artwork was displayed in many local businesses, as well as the New Towne Mall. Kay painted three church murals, "Noah's Ark" at Roxford United Methodist Church, "Jesus Knocking at the Door" at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, and "Jesus and the Little Children" at Broadway which she truly cherished. It was with this last mural that Kay helped Ben Ballard achieve his Eagle Scout Award by assisting him in its painting.

In addition to her loving husband, Harold, Kay is survived by her three daughters, Katherine Faye (Dennis) Whitson of New Philadelphia, Sue Anne (Jeff) Ellwood of Dover, and Rita Jane (Ken) Hartman of Sorrento, Florida; her three grandchildren, Nicole Kara Whitson, Emily Jane and Robb Hartman; her great-granddaughter, Gwendolyn Whitson; her sister, Elna (Phil) Zeilinger of Chandler, Arizona; her sisters-in-law, Rita Hughes of Martinez, California, and Wanda Hughes of Scottsdale, Arizona; her several nieces and nephews, including Thelma Hostetler.

Besides her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her infant sister, Lois Jean Hughes; her sister, Edna Pearl Mumaw; and by her brothers, John W. Jr. and Charles Edward Hughes.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m., in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, with Pastor Gary G, Swogger officiating. Immediately following the service, there will be a luncheon in Broadway United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia. Burial will be Monday, March 17, at 10 a.m. in East Avenue Cemetery, New Philadelphia. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Sunday, 2 3 p.m. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Kay, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the Toland-Herzig website.

The family suggests that contributions in Kay's memory be made to the First Church of God, 824 Tuscarawas Ave. N.W., Tuscarawas County Art Guild, c/o Bill Boose, 1198 Dawn Dr. N.E., or Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., all at New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.