Mary Lee Swift, 91, passed away August 16, 2026, after a period of illness.

Mary Lee Casey was born in 1935 in Potosi, Missouri, to Albert and Leah (White) Casey. She spent her childhood in Potosi and obtained a degree in mathematics from Fontbonne College. After a brief period working at Anheuser Busch, she married James Swift (also of Potosi) in 1958. They raised their family in Webster Groves, Missouri, where Mary Lee lived for 62 years. She was a longtime parishioner of Our Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Webster Groves.

As her family grew up, Mary Lee worked as a substitute teacher in the Webster Groves school district and taught algebra at the Holy Redeemer elementary school. Throughout her life she was a dedicated volunteer to many community causes. She was an avid reader, a lifelong gardener, and bird watcher.

Mary Lee is survived by four children, Casey Ann Merriman and husband Brian of Webster Groves, Laura Swift of Maplewood, MO, Amy Swift and husband Bland Wade Jr. of Winston-Salem, NC, and Jay Swift and wife Kate (Marquess) Swift of Oak Park, IL; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was endlessly proud of them all. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Jim.

Services: Mass Friday August 21, 9:15 am at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 17 Joy Avenue St. Louis , Mo. 63119. Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with her husband. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis are appreciated.