Barbara Jo-Anne Swihart

Barbara Jo-Anne Swihart, 78, of Mansfield, Ohio passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2016. She was born on March 2, 1938 in Mansfield, Ohio and was the daughter of the late John R. and Clara E. Foster. She graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1956. On October 17, 1970 she was married to Douglas E. (Tecca) Swihart who preceded her in death in April of 2007.

For many years she was involved with international trade having worked for the international divisions of Inland Rubber International Corporation, the Tappan Company, Gorman-Rupp International, and Peabody-Barnes. In the late 1970's she founded the North Central Ohio International Trade Club and served as its president, as well as teaching a class on international transportation and documentation at North Central State College during the fall quarter of 1985. In addition, Barbara was one of the first twenty-five women to receive the T.W.I.N. award in this area.

She had been an active member of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Club during the 70's, winning Ladies Class and The Don Stevens Memorial Award in 1978, and served as the club's first woman president the following year.

She was a member of the Ontario United Methodist Church, the local chapter of the Mended Hearts, Inc., The Mid-Ohio Writer's Association, and a member of the International Society of Poets. Her primary interests were dancing, playing euchre, listening to jazz and writing poetry.

In recent years she has preformed a standup comedy routine called "Aging with Humor" for various organizations in this area and she will be remembered by her friends for her sense of humor as well as the fact that she was an avid sports fan.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, John F. Foster, and T. Eugene ("Chink") Foster; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Murray and Nancy Twitchell Swihart, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service, officiated by Dr. Blake Wagner and Pastor Karen Wagenhals, will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 11:00 am at Ontario United Methodist Church.