Nancy Swan, 92, of Kensington, Md., died Sept. 1, 2012 at Springhouse Assisted Living in Silver Spring, Md.
She was born on Dec. 10, 1919 in Aurora, Ill., the daughter of George and Hester (Norman) Christenson. She grew up in Chicago, Ill., and divided her grade school and high school education between Chicago and Whitewater.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in library science from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1941. In 1956 she earned a master’s degree in library science at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where her dissertation was “A Study of Modern Fore-Edge Painting.”
Nancy taught basic electronics to U.S. Naval personnel at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station in Chicago until her enlistment in the Waves in 1944. Upon her discharge from Naval Intelligence in 1947, she accepted employment at the United States National Security Agency in Washington.
While still in the Navy, Nancy married William E. Swan on March 5, 1946 in Washington. They were both civilian employees in Washington until their retirement.
She was a member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kensington, Md., for many years.
Nancy was an active member of the Lionel Collectors Club of America, the Toy Train Operating Society, and the Train Collectors Association.
She was also a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 173 in Whitewater and of the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association in Washington D.C.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and her husband, William.
She is survived by nieces and nephews, Janice Voss, Fort Atkinson, Jeanette (Russ) Johnson, Weyauwega, Karen (Craig) Hummel, Oregon, Wis., Betty Ann Grant, Castle Rock, Colo., Lois Kitzman, Delavan, Dorothy Hughes and Ruth Parker, both of Whitewater, Marlene (Frank) Folts, Aurora, Ill., Richard (Betty) Douglas, Fort Wayne, Ind., James (Pat) Douglas, and Robert (Virginia) Douglas, both of Janesville; and many great-nieces and -nephews, all of whom respected and loved her.
A visit by Aunt Nancy was a signal for a celebration. She enjoyed traveling, especially with the Veterans and train groups.
She will be interred with her husband in Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.
There will be a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. on Sept. 12 prior to interment at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 Newcomb St. Whitewater.
Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Silver Spring, Md., will assist the family.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 9705 Summit Ave., Kensington, MD 20895 or American Legion Post 0173 of Whitewater.
For online guest registry, visit www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.
