Bea Swartzbaugh

Beulah (Bea) Colley Bridenbaugh Swartzbaugh was called to heaven on April 9, 2016 at Kingston Residence of Perrysburg. She was born on October 15, 1932 to John and Maddlena Boschian in Whitman, West Virginia. She married Gerald Colley on June 2, 1950 and together had a life full of children and activities. She worked at the former Frey Nursing Home and St. Luke’s Hospital and retired after many years. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, she went to the University of Toledo and graduated in 2002 at the age of 69. At the commencement ceremony, all of her children were present to see her receive her diploma. She was a substitute teacher after graduation and loved that she could give back to children. A Catholic with devout faith, she was member of Christ the King Church, active in many programs and committees. Perpetual adoration and the soup kitchens were her favorites. Reading books was a favorite hobby and she shared many of the books she read with her family and friends. As a mother of nine children, free time was at a premium, but she always made time to greet and chat with neighbors and strangers alike and always had a smile to share with anyone. Her love of music was apparent to all as she would sing at every opportunity, as she did just about everything. Her love of hats was her trademark; she was a member of the Red Hat Society. She was preceded in death by her parents; infant sons William and David Colley; sisters, Bonnie Gingise and Clorinda Basso; brother, Anthony Boschian; husbands, Gerald (the father of her nine children), Richard Bridenbaugh and Peter Swartzbaugh. She is survived by her children; Leah Emery of Uniontown, Ohio, Anne (James) Domanowski of Toledo, Tina (Randy) Kinkaid of Maumee, Jerry (Luann) Colley of Perrysburg, John (Kelly) Colley of Maumee, Jane Monroe of Maumee, Jacqueline (Steven) Sorohan of Garfield Heights, Ohio, Carol (Shad) Bucher of Johnstown, Ohio and Matthew Colley of Toledo; sisters, Della Sarsfield of Seffner, Florida, Veda Wagner of Bedford Heights, Ohio, and sister-in-law Rae Paul. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 4 step-children and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 3-8 pm on Friday April 15, 2016 at the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St., Maumee with a scripture service to be held at 7 pm. Additional visitation will be held from 9-10 am on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Christ the King Church, 4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo, Ohio with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10am. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Maumee, Ohio. The family would like to thank Hospice of Northwest Ohio and the Memory care Unit of Kingston for the wonderful, loving care bestowed upon Bea. Donations may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences may be given at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com