Miriam Hetty Akers Swayze, 83

LEWES - Miriam Hetty Akers Swayze, of Lewes, died on Sunday, March 1, 2009, in Wilmington Hospital. She was 83. She was born in Rock Hall, Md., on June 9, 1925, the daughter of the late Hillry Bogle and Kitty Smith Akers. She graduated from Shenandoah Valley Academy and Towson University and attended Columbia Union, Seventh Day Adventist College in Tacoma Park, Md. Mrs. Swayze married in 1943 to John A. Swayze. Due to their involvement in teaching in the Seventh Day Adventist School System they resided in several locations settling in Newark. She worked as an executive administrator for Head Start, DuPont, Hercules, and later at the Pentagon from which she retired. She was later married to Theodore Delecki who predeceased her. Mrs. Swayze resided in Ocean City, Md., for 15 years where she worked as a realtor and most recently in Lewes for eight years. She was a member of the Rock Hall Seventh Day Adventist Church in Rock Hall, Md. Mrs. Swayze loved music, playing piano, singing, Washington Cathedral, Big Band, dancing, traveling, movies, and was very devotional. Her dynamic personality and considerate demeanor led her to befriend many. She is survived by three sons, David Swayze and his wife Debra of Warwick, Md., Lee John Swayze of Dover, and Arthur Swayze and wife Rene' of Snomish, Wash.; a sister, Eolin Ann Tripp and husband Donald of New Market, Va.; a brother, George Akers and wife Imogne of Ooltewah, Tenn.; along with grandchildren, Stephanie, Shaun, Christopher, Danielle, Devon, and Derek; and one great-grandchild, Madison. Services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Rock Hall Seventh Day Adventist Church in Rock Hall, Md. Burial will be in St. Paul's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rock Hall Seventh Day Adventist Church, Po Box 477, Rock Hall, MD 21661. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home Rock Hall, MD. Visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com.