Encyclopedia Dubuque
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SWIFT, Norma J.
SWIFT, Norma J. (Norma “Peggy” Jean (Bryant) (Clemons, IA, Aug. 24, 1927--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 22, 2022) The daughter of Raymond and Elisa (Helmke) Bryant, Norma shortly after graduating from Clemons High School in 1945 started her religious training and converted to the Roman Catholic Church. She was joined in marriage to Gerald Swift on May 1, 1948, at St. Mary’s Church in Marshalltown, Iowa.
When her youngest child started grade school, she entered accepted a position at TABLE MOUND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Later she would work at DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, resigning from STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL in 1997. Shortly after resigning, she went to work for the ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE as the Director of Religious Education for ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL. She served the role of Confirmation Coordinator at St. Francis / Sts. Peter & Paul in Sherrill, Iowa. She retired as the Director of Religious Education from Holy Ghost parish in Dubuque, Iowa in May of 2007.
While raising her children, Norma was a member of Table Mound School PTA, a Den Mother for Boy Scout Troop 69, taught religious education at St. Raphael's and traveled with the COLTS DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS for many years. In 2019, she was selected to be a member of the Colts Hall of Fame in honor of her years of service and dedication to the organization.
Along with her late husband Jerry, she was a member of Christian Family Movement (CFM). Despite already having a house full of children, they generously opened their home to foster children and were also involved with the Dubuque Operation Friendship organization which unified various ethnic backgrounds in the Dubuque community. To supplement her role as a Director of Religious Education, Peggy furthered her education by attending LORAS COLLEGE and completed courses in theology and scripture studies. Peggy was also a volunteer for the Dubuque Serra Club, an organization that promotes vocations within the Catholic Church.
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Source:
Obituaries, Telegraph Herald, August 26, 2022, p. 12A