Jacqueline Swigart

Jacqueline A. Swigart, 87, of Louisville, KY, passed away Friday, August 10th at Baptist Hospital East. "Jackie" was born on January 26, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minn., the daughter of the late Gladys and John Irons.
While attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in Medical Technology, Jackie met her loving husband of 66 years, the late Dr. Richard H. Swigart.
Jackie was a lifelong supporter of civic and environmental issues with numerous appointments including heading the Louisville Chapter of The League of Women Voters, the first named female cabinet member in Kentucky State Government as the Secretary of The Department Natural Resources from 1979 through 1983 under Governor John Y. Brown, headed KIPDA in Jefferson County and headed a private Environmental Consulting firm until retirement.
In 1981 Jackie was awarded the degree of Doctor of Public Service by The University of Louisville recognizing the numerous contributions she had made to this community throughout her career.
Jackie was a board member of Wellspring for twenty five years and chair of the board from 1992-1996 during which time Wellspring opened the first residential Psychiatric Crisis Unit in Kentucky and helped expand housing opportunities for adults with mental illness. Jackie's life long commitment to these issues resulted in her named as an Honorary Lifetime board member of Wellspring. Jackie was a long time member and supporter of Saint Paul United Methodist Church.
Jackie is survived by her sister, Sally Kamps, children Sally, Dan (Billie Jo), John (Sherry), six grandchildren and two nieces.
A service celebrating Jackie's life will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Louisville Memorial Gardens Funeral Home East, 11601 Ballardsville Rd. with visitation from 10:00 AM until service time. Contributions in Jackie's memory can be made to Wellspring, P.O. Box 1927, Louisville, KY 40201-1927.