Grace (Carter) Swackhammer

Grace (Carter) Swackhammer, 51, of Vestal, NY, peacefully passed away at her home on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, after her long and courageous battle with complications from diabetes.

She was born on March 5, 1970, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Patricia Fisk.

Grace attended Union Endicott High School, Class of 1988. During her school years, she was a member of the band and was a talented member of the softball team. Grace was a proud supporter of the Hillis Dirt Track Racing Team #31, which her husband, John, was a team member. She was an avid NASCAR fan, and the Earnhardt family was consistently her team and when they all retired, her new driver was Chase Elliott.

Over the past few years during her illness, she was limited on her physical activity, so she started her fish aquariums and spent hours caring and maintaining them. They were her project and pride and joy. She had a collection of roses in glass that she received while in the hospital from her husband which filled a shelf along with her wolf collection. Grace also loved being outside, especially spending time by and in the water.

She was all about family, loved them deeply, and was very protective of her siblings. Grace always told them, “I am your big sister, I will always protect and defend you, and she told everyone else, “Don’t ever mess with my family.” She was extremely loyal to all those she loved. She will not only be missed by her family but by all who loved her.

She is predeceased by her grandparents Stacy and Violet Fisk, and extended family “uncles” Dick King and Jim King.

Grace is survived by her beloved husband John at home, her children Stacy Swackhammer of Vestal, NY, John Swackhammer of MA, and Jamie Swackhammer of Rochester, NY, her parents Pat and Ed Yonkin of Daytona Beach, FL, her siblings and their spouses Tisha and Billie Atnip of Winona, MO, Fawn and Joey Lewis of Woodville, TX, and Chip and Ruth Yonkin of Brackney, PA, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by her best friend and confidant Marti Bartow of SC and her family, her extended family “Gramma Fran” (King) Simko of Athens, PA and her family “Aunt Linda” Rogers of Athens, PA, “Uncle Joe” and "Aunt Linda" King of Athens, PA, “Aunt Mary” Hall of Dundee, NY, and "Aunt Barb" of Montrose, PA and their families, sisters-in-law Judy Taylor of Apalachin, NY, Kathy Gleason of Vestal, NY, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Eve and John Stillwell of Vestal, NY, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roy and Joanie Swackhammer of Port Crane, NY, and her many friends and neighbors.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 11am at Brookdale Cemetery, 1565 Mucky Run Road, Hallstead, PA with the Rev. Linda Rogers “Aunt Linda” officiating. To honor Grace at her service, the family requests that all wear clothing in her favorite color, "Purple."

Following the service, honoring Grace’s wishes, she will be buried with her grandfather Stacy. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Athens, PA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grace (Carter) Swackhammer, please visit our floral store.