Patricia Swanson

Patricia “Pat” Conces Swanson, 81, of San Antonio, Texas passed away on July 31, 2016 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Dallas, Texas on September 15, 1934 to Graham and Mabel Peck.

Pat had a love of poetry, music and the arts. She was involved in the Pasadena Little Theater, and was also a member of the choir and taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Pasadena, Texas during her children’s formative years.

Pat began her career in the 70’s as a reporter for the Pasadena Citizen. She later joined The Kroger Co. where she became print prep supervisor for print advertising. She also worked for Houston Living and Texas Magazines during her career. In 1985 Pat joined State Senator Chet Brooks’ staff as information specialist until 1992. She joined the City of Pasadena in 1993 as a reference librarian at the city’s Fairmont Branch Library and remained employed with the city until her retirement in 1999.

Pat and her husband Paul moved to Huntsville, Texas after her retirement where she worked as a freelance writer for the Huntsville Item. She won numerous awards from the Texas Press Women’s Association and various other contests.

She was an active member of the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas before moving to San Antonio in 2012.

Pat’s greatest achievement in life was raising her five children who brought her so much joy and pride. She loved the Lord and taught her children how to love unconditionally as Christ loved. Pat never met a stranger. She had a strong belief in treating people fairly and was kind to everyone she met. She passed her gift of gab and love of music along to her children. She was also known to break out in song and dance whenever the spirit moved her and had an infectious laugh and joy of life.

As her Alzheimer’s worsened, it only seemed to amplify Pat’s underlying joy and love. Instead of becoming a recluse and withdrawn around people she didn’t recognize, she would just smile, try to grab a hug, and talk about how beautiful you were (which led to some very interesting encounters). She was also known the “kissing bandit” to family, friends and strangers.

Pat never lost her ability to find beauty in every person that she met, and she held, to the end, a deep affection for babies and children. She was passionate, intelligent and kind. Her deep love of poetry and the arts was really a reflection of her love for people and the stories they had to tell.

She is survived by her husband Paul Swanson and children: Kaye Spessard and husband Gary, Bob Conces and wife Liz, Carolyn Bossert and husband Scott, Nancy Conces Green, and Ellen Andrus and husband Michael; grandchildren: Ashley Baker and husband Chad, David Spessard and wife Yesenia, Allison Makus and husband Dennis, Anna Everett and husband Mark, Marie and Matthew Bossert, Robert Bossert and wife Amanda, Michelle Carranza and husband Joseph, James and Annie Green, and Christian, Cody and Alex Andrus; great grandchildren: Abbey, Cole and Ally Joy Baker, Forest Spessard, Kahlan, Juliette and Drake Makus, Phil and Vincent Everett, Bobby Bossert, and Jay Carranza.

Her memory will never be forgotten and she will live in our hearts always.

Funeral services will be under the direction of Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home in Houston, Texas. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 6, 2016 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home at 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, TX 77023.