Elizabeth Ann Swientek

Elizabeth “Betty” Ann (nee: Gajewski) Swientek, 72, succumbed to her illness and began her journey to God’s heavenly Kingdom on January 19, 2021 after a valiant struggle and long illness related to a major stroke she encountered while vacationing in Portland, Oregon in December 2018.  Her devotion to family and her firm belief in God supported her in her two year struggle and ultimately gave her peace.

Betty was born on November 17^th, 1948 in Buffalo, NY to the late Joseph J. and the late Ann M. (nee:  Pawlak) Gajewski. Throughout her life, she was immersed in Christianity and committed to the precepts of the Catholic Church that would serve as the bedrock of her life, the foundation of her religious needs shaping her moral character from an early age, through adulthood and into her formative years.

She was an advocate for Catholic Education as a Disciple in Christ who served our Catholic Faith as a as a Lay Ecclesial Ministry (LEM) & Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) instructor at parishes overseas and in Virginia and Maryland.  Betty was educator at heart. She was kind and soft-spoken, and always had time to answer a question, to look into or solve a problem, no matter how small. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, especially her husband, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator.

Betty was also dedicated to the American Veteran and their families, selflessly taking on duties as a one of the very first Navy Ombudsmen who served her Navy Family at both Type II Shore (Naval Security Group) and Type I Forward Deployed Major Afloat (USS Midway CV-41).  Throughout life, she continued to support our veterans by serving in Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary (DAVA) in local Unit and State Offices, as well as tirelessly serving in various command wives’ clubs’ positions. She was the complete, total and unequivocal professional and more importantly, the epitome of what a Navy Wife was supposed to be.

Betty was blessed with a modest immediate and large extended family. She married a sailor, Joseph Daniel Swientek on July 22, 1968 in Buffalo, NY. Together, they enjoyed a marriage of over 52 years and helped raise their two children with patience, love, discipline and humility. She was the mother, the teacher, role model and understanding confidant. She taught them to read, write, to rationalize problems, to obey the law and to present themselves as young gentlemen as they grew into manhood.  She took them all over including school outings and family trips to see the natural beauty of every state and Japan where they lived.  From the very beginning, she dedicated her life’s work with children to God and encouraged them to explore the beauty of Catholic education and the gospels.

Betty is survived by her husband, Joseph; their sons Jeffery and Christopher; grandchildren Michael Joseph, Ashley Marie, Jeffery Jr., Nicholas Andrew, Aaron (Douglas) and Dawson (Alexander); great grandchildren Braxton Thomas, Ryleigh Layne and just missed the arrival of Frederick Sawyer in March.  She is also survived by her brothers Gerald D. and Roger D. Gajewski and David R. (aka: Gajewski) Gage and their families who reside in Buffalo, NY, Woodlawn, TN and Sherman, TX respectively.  She was preceded in death by her brother Daniel; her parents; and aunts, uncles, cousins and a very close friend; Theresa Motyka; all of Western New York.

Visitation is from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 27^th, at the Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy, Bowie, MD 20715.  A Funeral Mass will take place at 11:30 AM on Thursday, January 28^th at Our Lady of the Fields R.C. Church, 1070 Cecil Ave S, Millersville, MD 21108.  Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery when space and scheduling becomes available in the next three to four months. . The family gratefully declines flowers; but Mass Cards, prayers, condolences and memories are gladly accepted at [email protected].   As an alternative, donations to the National Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation in the name of her niece (Chloe Swientek) who suffers from CF would be appreciated.

Reverend Matthew Hines, Associate Pastor from Our Lady of the Fields (OLF) will officiate at the service.