Karen Sue Swift was a lifetime resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Only once did she deviate…her birthplace was Washington DC. She had no input on that decision.

Karen’s parents, the late Mary Winifred Chilcoat and Dale Carlton Swift both settled in DC after WWII. Mary hailed from Huntington County, PA. and Dale from Clay County, IA. Mary was a Registered Nurse at Sibley Memorial Hospital, and Dale worked for the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the CIA.

In March, 1948 Karen was the first born daughter, followed by 3 siblings: Thomas Daniel Swift, Lisa Michele Craft, and Elinor Leigh Broman.

Karen was a high achiever. Upon graduating from James Madison High School in Vienna in 1966, Karen chose to attend a small, remote branch of the University of Virginia called George Mason College. At that time it was a two year school with 840 students. While attending, the school became George Mason University and four year Bachelor Degrees could be earned. She was the first person in the extended family to complete her degree.

At the same time, Karen also demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility. Choosing GMU allowed her to live at home, which in turn kept her college expenses down. This allowed her to keep an eye on her younger siblings, as her mother had recently passed away from cancer in 1965.

While studying and caregiving, and to earn college spending money, Karen worked at Joseph R. Harris, a women’s clothing store located at Seven Corners and later, Tysons Corner. The manager of the store, Mrs. Ruby Wendorf, all but adopted her. In 1970, Karen graduated with a combined degree in Math and Teaching.

After a year of teaching Junior High School Math, Karen became convinced that “baby sitting” was not for her. She quickly gravitated to the corporate world. She retired from Northrup Grumman in 2020.

Karen was an active member of Galilee United Methodist Church, where she made lifelong friends and found spiritual peace. You could count on Karen to contribute her time and talents to the congregation. She volunteered in the church office, was a contributor to the Backpack Buddies program, and a member of a Bible Study Group. She also found a second home at Wingler House in Ashburn, where she had many friends and amazing neighbors.

Karen enjoyed crafting–mostly quilting and crocheting, as well as solving puzzles, bingo, and reading. She also enjoyed many wonderful dining adventures with family and friends, and she loved a good road trip. She will be missed by many.

Karen is survived by her brother and two sisters and their spouses, as well as a nephew and his family, and two nieces.

In lieu of flowers, and in Karen’s memory, contributions can be made to one of the following:

Home Delivered Meals Program
Senior Center of Leesburg
102 North St., NW, Suite B
Leesburg, VA 20176
(Please add “HDM” the memo line)

Galilee UMC
45425 Winding Road
Sterling VA 20165
Online Giving