Ann E. Swift

Ann E. Conroy (Swift) our beloved Mom, of 151 East Main Street passed away at the Robert Packer Hospital, in Sayre, PA on January 14, 2013 at the age of 82.

Mom was born in Salamanca, New York, on January 10, 1931, and was the daughter of Walter and Ruth (Stoughton) Conroy.

She was a graduate of Cuba Central School class of 1949. After graduating, she attended Westbrook Business Academy in Olean, NY. She married Daniel A. Swift, her husband of fifty-six years on June 30, 1951.

Moving to Hornell with her husband Dan, she opened the Mar-Fran bridal shop. Often she would travel to New York City to purchase designer gowns for her many brides to be. In 1960, Mom and Dad moved to Ithaca, New York. In 1966, they purchased their dream home at 151 East Main Street in Trumansburg that would be the beginning of many memorable Swift family events.

Continuing her entrepreneurial interests she opened Ann’s Antiques in 1967; and began her well-known career in the area as an expert in antiques. Mom was purveyor of numerous tag sales throughout the region and coordinated annual holiday antique shows at Close Hall in Jacksonville for many years.

She was an avid learner, studying landscape design and botany through her attendance of many courses offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension and Tompkins County Community College. She researched and studied the history of glass making techniques through Corning Museum of Glass and volunteered as a tour guide for several years.

Mom had a love of horses as evidenced by the horses and ponies that for decades greeted people as they entered Trumansburg. She enjoyed making day trips across the Finger Lakes region with the love of her life, Dan, where they could never pass another antique shop without stopping. Ann also enjoyed traveling to Florida, Texas, Virginia and Western New York to visit her children as their successful careers progressed.

In 1992, Mom and Dad opened the White Gazebo Inn Bed and Breakfast. For several years, they opened their home and hearts to guests from all over the world. Many of their guests returned year after year to enjoy the little touches that pampered and where hearts were at ease. Ann was a highly skilled cook that collected hundreds of cookbooks during her life and she was able to share this love of cooking with her guests preparing morning breakfasts that were deliciously gourmet.

She was an engaged citizen who served as the President of the TCSD Sports Boosters Club, where she was instrumental in fundraising toward the efforts to build the first paved athletic track in the area. She was a member of the Trumansburg Episcopal Church and an active volunteer at the Trumansburg Historical Society. She served on the Smith Woods Board of Trustees and supported the preservation of the natural woods. In addition, she was a member of the Arthur E. Bouton American Legion Auxiliary Post #770, Trumansburg and BPW (Business and Professional Women’s Club) of Ithaca.

Surviving Mom are a son, Randy (Bette) C. Swift of Jacksonville, FL; granddaughters Katelin and Brianna Swift of Jacksonville, FL: a daughter, Sharon (Herb) Austic of Trumansburg, NY; grandchildren Daniel Austic of Trumansburg, NY and Shawna Austic of Goshen, NH ; great grandson Easton : a daughter, Christine (Christopher) Swift-Turner of Annandale, VA; grandsons Corydon and Afton Swift -Turner.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Daniel A. Swift: son, Danny M. Swift and brother, Gary C. Conroy.

In keeping with Mom’s wishes, services will be private. Those who wish to remember her in the form of contribution are asked to consider the Ulysses Historical Society of Trumansburg, 39 South Street, PO Box 455 Trumansburg, NY 14886 or Hospice of Tompkins County, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.