Joan G. (Mellon) Swenda

Joan G. (Mellon) Swenda, cherished by her family, friends, and community as a "gift from God," passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2015, at her residence in Bridgeport, PA. Born in Milmont Park, PA, on April 11, 1932, she was a daughter of the late James and Yvonne (Senger) Mellon. Surviving is her loving family, including her husband of 62 years, Andy; 3 sons: Drew & Patti Jo Swenda of W. Chester, PA, John & Song Suk Swenda of Browns Mills, NJ and Tom & Mary Rose Swenda of Bridgeport, PA; 4 daughters: Sharon & Paul Fitz-Patrick of Carlisle, PA, Debbie & Scott Alexaki of King of Prussia, PA, Janet & Greg Layton of Bangor, PA and Yvonne Foster and Mike Vonderheide of Millersville, PA; 20 grandchildren: Annie, Julia, Phillip, Katherine, Daniel, Steven, Ryan, Lauren, Shannon, Jeffrey, Jared, Jenna, Alex, Erica, Erin, Keri, Jeff, Allison, Anthony and Jordan; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy and Joe Mellon. She was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Moylan, PA, and attended St. Charles Seminary for two years. Joan worked for the former Genuardi's Supermarket for 25 years in numerous positions. Before that, she worked for the Bridgeport Police Department for three years as a crossing guard and also coordinated emergency personnel during the 1972 flood. She was an active member of the former St. Augustine R.C. Church in Bridgeport, PA, for over forty-six years. Joan taught religious education and baptism preparation classes, organized programs for the seniors, was a lector and Eucharistic minister, served as a member of the Executive Board and was chairperson of the Liturgy Committee. She was a true servant to God.In addition to her devotion to her church, Joan was heavily involved in the local community. She was a leader and troop coordinator for the Freedom Valley Girl Scout Council, was elected voting official and Majority Leader for Bridgeport's third ward from 1971 to 1979, and was a former chairperson for Bridgeport Little League. She was also a founder and past president of the Montgomery-Chester County Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) and received the Woman of the Year Award from the JDF. Joan's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the St. Augustine Worship Site, 464 Ford St., Bridgeport, PA on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 10:30 am. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday morning from 9 to 10:15 am, at the worship site. Interment will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, Mass cards are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made in Joan's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 225 City Line Avenue, Suite 104, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.Arrangements are by The Bacchi Funeral Home and Crematory, Ltd., Bridgeport, PA.www.bacchifuneralhome.com