Suzanne Vernon Swick

Former Orient resident Suzanne Vernon Swick of Montclair, N.J., died Sept. 30 at Daughters of Israel in West Orange, N.J., after a brief illness. She was 83 years old.

She was born Jan. 14, 1930, at Mountainside Hospital in Glen Ridge, N.J., to Helen B. and Roger E. Vernon. She lived most of her life in the Montclair area and was one of four generations to attend Montclair High School. She married Theodore Pockman Swick July 7, 1951, in New York City. They lived first in Greenwich Village and then in Stuyvesant Town until 1959, when they moved to Montclair. They also had a residence in Orient for more than 20 years.

Ms. Swick is a descendant of the Vernon family of Newport R.I., who were instrumental in the colonial period. She recently became a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, which is limited to descendants of those who lived in an American colony before 1750.

She was an active resident in Montclair, volunteering in the local public schools, the Montclair-Newark Junior League and the Montclair Republican Party.

Flower design became a passion for the last 20 years of her life. She was active in the Garden Club of Montclair, where she was a past president and master judge. She was also a member of the State of New Jersey Garden Club and provided beautiful flower arrangements over the years for the Montclair Art Museum, the Crane House and Garden Club. She was also passionate about family and was a loving and supportive grandmother.

Ms. Swick is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ted; her daughter, Jennifer Swick Amadeo; her son, Ford Vernon Swick; and two grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Roger B. Vernon.

The family will receive visitors Sunday, Oct. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Caggiano Memorial Home for Funerals in Montclair, N.J.