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Kathy J. (Kuskey) Swift, age 59 of Glen Dale, WV passed away Thursday, October 20, 2022 in the presence of her husband. Kathy was born March 29, 1963, the daughter of the late Joseph M. and Patricia A. Kuskey. She graduated from John Marshall High School in 1981 and West Virginia University in 1985 with a degree in journalism. She also did master’s study in education at WVU and Marshall University. She is survived by her best friend and husband of 35 years, Bryant “Randy”; her dear son, Grant; sisters, Joan (Larry) Truex, Debra (Jeffrey) Miller, and Dru (David) Meyer; brother, Joseph (Jonna) Kuskey; nephews, Adam (Trisha) Truex, Jason Elson, Jeremy (Sondra) Elson, Patrick (Hayli) Meyer, Daniel (Audrey) Meyer, Christopher (Sarah) Kuskey, Alec (Brandi) Kuskey; nieces, Renae (Carco) Clave-Truex, Carli (Matt) Liette; great nieces, Madison (Jaylen), Annalyn, Addison, Violet and Josie; great nephews, Austin, Zachary, Xavier, Killian, Conlan and Jake. Kathy’s specialty in community journalism led to her first paid work covering general assignments for the Marshall County Journal. There she reported on everything from parking meter violations to prison riots. She went on to work for Ogden News out of Wheeling as a government reporter and then editor for both the News Register and the Intelligencer. There she earned first-place honors from the W.Va Press Association for coverage of a downtown Wheeling fire and a third-place nod for a series about a mother’s fight to bring home her abducted child. She taught newswriting and reporting, investigative research, photojournalism, and desktop publishing at West Liberty State College, where she also oversaw production of the school’s weekly newspaper and worked with the Hilltopper Marching Band. After 15 years at WLSC, she went home to raise her son and focus on community service. This led to rewarding work as a catechist at her beloved St. Francis Xavier Church in Moundsville and time as a special education aid for Marshall County Schools. She also gave many years of service providing technology support at Glen Dale Elementary. In her later years, she worked as a freelance researcher and copy editor and at St. Francis Xavier managing their publications and social media. Many did not know that Kathy was invited to study vocal performance at WVU. She left high school a promising vocalist whose most prominent achievements were being selected as a WVa Solo & Ensemble honors recital finalist and soloist for inaugural ceremonies before Gov. Jay Rockefeller and other dignitaries for Rhododendron Girl’s State. She sang professionally throughout college and continued to perform, cantor, and study voice throughout her life. She was a voracious self-learner, appreciated many genres of music and performance, and relished classic films with a special spot for the Golden Age. She was also a fan of baseball thanks to her son, whose love of the game is contagious. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Moundsville on October 29, 2022 at 11am with a reception at Xavier Hall. Flowers are fine, but donations to Gabriel Project would also be great. Follow your hearts.

Tributes

Kathy Jo Swift

March 29, 1963 - October 20, 2022