Melissa Renee (Gress) Swift, 53, of Reamstown, peacefully went home to the Lord on Friday, March 10, 2023, in the arms of her loving husband of 31 years.
Missy was the wife of Keith Swift to whom she shared 35 years of love and partnership with, 31 of those years spent in marriage. She was the proud mother of Felicia (Swift) Foster of Wernersville, and mother-in-law to Nathan Foster. Born in Ephrata, she was the daughter of Edgar Gress and Beatrice (Sheaffer) Gress, and sister to Brian Gress. Her family was her pride and joy; her life mission was spent making memories with her family.
She was a graduate of Cocalico High School, class of 1987. Missy worked for Kalas Manufacturing for many years before going back to school to pursue her passion of working with animals where she became an animal technician. For the past 11 years she has worked for Covance Research Products, specializing in working with large animals, her favorite being the horses.
Missy will be remembered for her contagious personality that would light up a room. Her love of animals was shared with all 4-legged creatures, especially dogs and horses. Her personality and sense of humor made her who she will be remembered as. Even through her 11-month battle with Intimal Sarcoma, her sense of humor and strong-willed personality was not dimmed. Up until her last moments she never lost her sense of humor or her determination to take in as much time as she was given here surrounded by her family.
Missy is survived by her husband Keith Swift of Reamstown; her daughter, Felicia (Swift) Foster, wife of Nathan Foster of Wernersville; her mother and father, Beatrice (Sheaffer) and Edgar Gress of Reinholds; brother Brian Gress of Reinholds; her two dogs, Remmy and Ralph; and many friends that she considered family. Missy was predeceased by her sister Gale Gress, her aunt Edith Gress, her paternal grandparents Earl and Elsie “Gremmy” Gress, and her maternal grandparents Chester and Alice Sheaffer.
A viewing will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, from 6 to 8 pm and on Saturday, March 18, 2023, from 10 to 11 am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will follow and take place in the Swamp Cemetery. All viewings and services will be held at Good Sipler Funeral & Cremation Centre, Inc., 34 N. Reamstown Rd., Reamstown (Stevens), Pa.
Memorial contributions in Melissa’s memory can be made to Speranza Animal Rescue of Mechanicsburg at https://www.speranza
rescue.org/donate.
Special note: Missy’s obituary was lovingly written by her daughter.
