Vondalee G. Swanson

Vondalee G. Swanson, of Toby, passed away suddenly at home on her 80th birthday, Wednesday July 27, 2022.

Vondalee was born in Kane, the daughter of Clyde and Helen Hottel, on July 27, 1942. She attended Kane High School and went on to work at Hamlin Bank in Kane and S&T Bank in Brockway as a teller. She then worked as the Agent/Office Manager of the Elk County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Her greatest career accomplishment was being elected the Fox Township Tax Collector in 1994. She loved people so she enjoyed meeting and visiting with everyone as they stopped to pay taxes. She retired as tax collector in 2018 after 24 years of dedicated service. She also served as the director and secretary for the Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance Company for many years.

On May 19, 1973, in the St. Callistus Catholic Church in Kane, Vondalee married Charles A. Swanson, who preceded her in death on May 29, 2021.

Vondalee is survived by children, Rita (Robin) Gerber, Randy Swanson, Linda (Joe) Bankovich, Lisa (Barry) LaRock. Her beloved grandchildren Braden, Michael and Matthew LaRock, Carly, Caitlyn and Courtney Bankovich, Ellen, Amy and Adam Gerber, Tyler, Sonya, Emily and Amanda Swanson, and Andrew Woodford. She lived to spoil all of her 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Vondalee was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Sarah Woodford; her daughter-in-law, Carol Swanson; her sister, Lureda Menteer; and by three brothers: Clyde Hottel, Richard Victory, and Armel Victory.

Vondalee, or as her family refers to her as Nana, was a people person and made everyone feel welcome. Her home was always open to anyone with a pot of coffee always on. Besides being known for her amazing macaroni salad, Vondalee will be remembered as a loving, caring person, who always put family first in her life.

As a faithful member of the St. Boniface Parish, the Fox Township Lioness Club, Toby Valley Grange and the Red Hat Society, she was always willing to lend a hand to anyone. She lived in the spirit of service and compassion for others.

Vondalee loved to travel especially with her beloved husband and family. She would jump at a chance to fly out to Las Vegas to see her best friend, Helen, or ride up to the Seneca Allegheny Casino. Over the past year she was blessed to rack up many miles of travel and spend precious time with her other best friend, Patty Vollmer.

A friend to all, the definition of “home”, and the best Mom and Nana who will be cherished and remembered always. She summed it up by saying “My greatest blessings call me Nana”. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Boniface Church on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Kevin Holland, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Boniface Cemetery.

Visitation will be held in the St. Boniface Church Gathering Space on Thursday morning, from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, 810 River Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212; Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923; or to the Hahne Regional Cancer Center, 100 Hospital Avenue, DuBois, PA 15801.