In Memory Of
Geertruida B. Swiader
1932
2021
Geertruida B. Swiader
May 3, 1932 — March 20, 2021
Angola, NY- Geertruida B. "Truus" Swiader, 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
Truus was born May 3, 1932 in the city of Amsterdam, Holland. She was a dedicated, strong, hardworking and determined woman who survived the devastation of World War II. Her first home was destroyed during the war, uprooting her and her family.
During this time, her mother introduced her to sewing, and she developed skilled hands. Once the war ended, her mother passed away, but she continued her education, becoming a trained seamstress and tailor and enjoyed employment at a couture blouse boutique in the city of Amsterdam. She loved the color blue and violet and enjoyed the fragrance of lavender.
At sixteen, Truus met Waclaw—a country boy from Poland who worked welding ocean liners. They became friend first and then fell in love. Three months after she turned twenty-one, they were married. Shortly after, had their first child, Franciszek. A year after their second child, Lydia, the family immigrated to the United States with their two children, two suitcases and one hundred dollars.
Though a city girl for twenty-four years, Truus found herself as a wife and mother of two in a rural neighborhood in Angola, New York in a completely new country not yet speaking English. Immediately, she developed great friendships. American born friends helped her learn to read and write English, become a citizen of the United States, and receive a high school diploma. European immigrant friends like herself, from various nations, became surrogate families although she missed her father, aunts and brother very much.
In the 60's, Truus was blessed with her third child, Wanda, who brought great happiness to the entire family. Every day, Truus made the house a home, raising her children with love, family, and lots of tea and cookies at teatime 10:00 am and 3:00 pm and when friends came to visit!
Over the years, Truus enjoyed a few visits to the Netherlands, however, she was always proud to come home to her forever home in America.
She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Waclaw Swiader, and her brother, Jan Domna.
She is survived by her children, Franciszek Swiader, Lydia Prusik, and Wanda (Mark) Dougherty, and her grandchildren, Emma, William, Julia, Brendan, and Matthew.
Truus' family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Jewish Home in Rochester, NY. They patiently cared for and loved Truus for the past six years. A special thank you to the staff on the 5th floor for making her feel comfortable during her last days.
Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
Truus was born May 3, 1932 in the city of Amsterdam, Holland. She was a dedicated, strong, hardworking and determined woman who survived the devastation of World War II. Her first home was destroyed during the war, uprooting her and her family.
During this time, her mother introduced her to sewing, and she developed skilled hands. Once the war ended, her mother passed away, but she continued her education, becoming a trained seamstress and tailor and enjoyed employment at a couture blouse boutique in the city of Amsterdam. She loved the color blue and violet and enjoyed the fragrance of lavender.
At sixteen, Truus met Waclaw—a country boy from Poland who worked welding ocean liners. They became friend first and then fell in love. Three months after she turned twenty-one, they were married. Shortly after, had their first child, Franciszek. A year after their second child, Lydia, the family immigrated to the United States with their two children, two suitcases and one hundred dollars.
Though a city girl for twenty-four years, Truus found herself as a wife and mother of two in a rural neighborhood in Angola, New York in a completely new country not yet speaking English. Immediately, she developed great friendships. American born friends helped her learn to read and write English, become a citizen of the United States, and receive a high school diploma. European immigrant friends like herself, from various nations, became surrogate families although she missed her father, aunts and brother very much.
In the 60's, Truus was blessed with her third child, Wanda, who brought great happiness to the entire family. Every day, Truus made the house a home, raising her children with love, family, and lots of tea and cookies at teatime 10:00 am and 3:00 pm and when friends came to visit!
Over the years, Truus enjoyed a few visits to the Netherlands, however, she was always proud to come home to her forever home in America.
She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Waclaw Swiader, and her brother, Jan Domna.
She is survived by her children, Franciszek Swiader, Lydia Prusik, and Wanda (Mark) Dougherty, and her grandchildren, Emma, William, Julia, Brendan, and Matthew.
Truus' family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Jewish Home in Rochester, NY. They patiently cared for and loved Truus for the past six years. A special thank you to the staff on the 5th floor for making her feel comfortable during her last days.
Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
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