Amelia Patricia Swiger

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Amelia Patricia Swiger May 28, 1936 - March 6, 2020

Mrs. Amelia Patricia Swiger was born in Fairmont, West Virginia on May 28, 1936. She was the loving and very devoted wife to John W. Swiger for 55 years until his passing in 2015. The two were married in Fairmont, West Virginia and later moved to New Orleans, Louisiana where they raised their two sons and resided until 1994.

Mrs. Swiger earned a bachelor's degree from Fairmont State University and later became the food and beverage manager for Gateway Hotel and the Ramada Inn Hotel on Causeway Boulevard in New Orleans. She served in that capacity for over 32 years, coordinating banquet functions for NFL Super Bowl teams, the Rotary Club of Greater New Orleans, various celebrities, and numerous business leaders and dignitaries in the city.

In 1994, Mr. and Mrs. Swiger moved to Birmingham, Alabama to join their son and daughter-in-law, David and Angie Swiger in the ownership of a chain of retail clothing stores. Her career success can be attributed not only to her gift of gab, but to her ability to make everyone she came in contact with feel special ... everyone. She could always find something kind to say, some compliment that would brighten your day and lift your spirit. As one close friend said recently, "There's something about her that brings comfort."

Upon retirement in 2001, they settled in Gulf Shores, Alabama where Mrs. Swiger resided.

Amelia Swiger's Italian heritage instilled in her a phenomenal passion for cooking. Her Italian meatballs, pepperoni rolls, and breads were a staple at the Swiger table for every family gathering and she even became "famous" for her beautiful breads sold to raise money for the church in bake sales, displayed at every St. Joseph's altar she organized ... even used for closing gifts in her son's real estate business.

Besides cooking and caring for her husband, her joy in life was her six grandchildren. She loved them all dearly and supported their various endeavors wholeheartedly. Even in the days preceding her death, she expressed the importance of FAMILY. "That's all that really matters," she said, and she lived it every day.

Every Saturday and Sunday, though, her attention turned to her LSU Tigers and her New Orleans Saints. She always donned her game day gear and cheered her teams on through wins and losses. She knew the players by name and supported them as if they were her own sons.

Mrs. Swiger was a longtime member of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Metairie, Louisiana where she worked tirelessly to support the Catholic Church and the Catholic schools her sons attended. She was also a longtime member of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama where she served in the Ladies Altar Society. Her love for cooking translated to her volunteer work for the church. She cooked for the priests, baked for fundraisers, and organized the first ever St Joseph's altar in Birmingham as well as Gulf Shores.

Amelia Patricia Swiger passed away on March 6, 2020 at Spring Hill Hospital in Mobile after complications from open heart surgery. She was 83 years old.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Carrie Stingo; her husband, John W Swiger; and her longtime companion who was always by her side, Miss Scarlett O'Hara, who passed away just weeks before her death.

She is survived by her two sons, David (and Angie) Swiger of Gulf Shores, Alabama and Dr. Johnny W Swiger of Mandeville, Louisiana; and her six grandchildren.

Sarah Swiger and Mary Grace Swiger of Mandeville, Louisiana are daughters of Dr. Johnny W Swiger and Christa Swiger. Kristen (and Dakota) Hooper of Montgomery, Alabama, John David and Michael Swiger of Gulf Shores, and Joseph Swiger of Baton Rouge, Louisiana are the children of David and Angie Swiger.

Mrs. Amelia Swiger will be cremated. There will be a celebration of her life at the Parrish Hall of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church (308 East 22nd Ave., Gulf Shores, AL) on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 12:30 with a mass following at 2. All are welcome and invited to join us for a reception following the mass at 3:15 at the home of David and Angie Swiger, 415 Clubhouse Dr., Gulf Shores, AL.