Judith Swain

Judy was born August 24, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Richard and Dorothy Miller. Her family moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey after her father’s passing. Judy loved to tell the stories of growing up with her brother Ed in the heyday of the famous boardwalk and the Million Dollar Pier. Using the Steel Pier as their playground, she often spoke of the diving horses and all the grand entertainment of the time. When times got tough, she gave up her dream of becoming a veterinarian and joined her mother in the workforce at an early age to help support her family. Her first job was in a production plant for Fralinger’s Original Salt Water Taffy and soon rose to shift manager.

Never one to turn down an adventure, Judy moved to Southport, NC at the age of 19 where she married the love of her life, Dale Swain. Along with her husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law, they opened a family business, Swayne’s in 1966. She worked there until her illness in March 2016. She made many friends of her patrons over the 50 years. After work she would dine with her friends at Locals Diner. She enjoyed cooking shows, but hated to cook herself. Judy was an early member of the Wilmington Antique Bottle & Artifact Club. She loved to spend her weekends digging in old out-houses. She and her husband recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. She was an avid reader, loved to work puzzles, only did crosswords in ink and enjoyed a good horror movie with her daughter every chance she got.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a baby sister and brother Ed Rice.

Survivors include her husband Dale; daughter Jennifer; niece Connie Rice; and nephews Josh Jackson and Joshua Sincoskie; good friend June Wheeler and her faithful companions, “Rascal, Sammie, Sassy, and River.”

A graveside service will be held at 2pm Friday, June 17, 2016 at Northwood Cemetery with Reverend Charles Drew officiating.

Judy and her family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Pieper and the hospice team at Lower Cape Fear Hospice as well as the team at SECU in Bolivia for their inspiring care during her illness.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to SECU Hospice of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, NC 28422, any animal shelter, or church of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport.