Norma J. Swift

Norma Swift of 90 years passed away on September 8, 2025 surrounded by family and listening to the hymns that she loved. Now she is in the presence of Jesus and the love of her life, Robert Swift, her husband of 65 years who passed away August 12, 2020 at age 83.

Norma was born on May 27, 1935 in Elk Garden, West Virginia to Oliver J. Kimmell Sr. and Anna Mary (Paugh) Kimmell. She eventually moved to a small coal mining community in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, where she grew up.

Norma and Bob were childhood friends, knowing each other most of their lives. Friendship grew into love, and they married in August 1955. Their love and dedication to each other was an inspiration to all that knew them. Norma was a dedicated and supportive wife, mother and grandmother. She loved being a homemaker and taking care of her daughter, Brenda, whom she and Bob loved with all of their hearts. Norma loved to crochet, cook, bake, and make her famous buckeyes and chocolate-covered cherries.

Norma and Bob loved children, so when an opportunity came along to be live-in cottage parents at Waddell Village, a home for children in Marion, Ohio, they accepted with open hearts and arms. For over twenty years, they dedicated their lives to nurturing and caring for children. Their love and compassion made a lasting imprint on countless lives.

Norma loved to travel, whether it was visiting family or seeing the world. Together, Norma and Bob visited almost all fifty states and many parts of Europe, but her favorite place was the Grand Canyon, whose grandeur and beauty she deeply admired. Spending time with family was everything. She loved playing cards, board games, fishing, camping, telling stories to her grandchildren, and providing endless food and snacks. She cherished family trips to the zoo, Cedar Point, and Hilton Head.

Norma will forever be loved and missed by her daughter Brenda (Chris) Layman, her grandchildren, Nathan, Natalia, and Matthew (LaRae), her great grandchildren Alyssa (Adam) Curtiss, Lane, Isaac, Isabella, Falynn, Audriana, Nolan, Page, Holden, Braydin, Krew, Sparrow, and her great great granddaughter Ellie, as well as her nieces Gail (Doug) King, Mary Jo (Jim) Lucha, and Jodi (Kevin) O'Hearn.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Park Village of Dover for the caring and dedicated environment that has helped the family through many difficult days.

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." John 11:25