Margaret Ann Shields Swartout

Margaret Ann Shields Swartout, "Peggy," age 76, of Severna Park, Md., died June 23, 2009. She was the daughter of Bernard R. and Elizabeth M. Cathcart Shields of Gloversville, N.Y. Born June 3, 1933, in Norwich, N.Y., she graduated from Gloversville High School class of 1951. She also was a graduate of Cornell University School of Nursing with a BSN and worked in the field of nursing for several years. She returned to school and graduated with a master's degree in fine arts from the Maryland Institute, College of Fine Arts. She was an accomplished artist and produced materials for over 40 exhibitions in the mid Atlantic area, including galleries in Washington, D.C. achieving the status of Juried artist. Peg taught ceramics and drawing at Ann Arundal Community College, Severna Park, Md. and continued her studies in painting and printmaking at several prestigious craft schools including Haystack School of Crafts, Deer Isle, Me. Her contemporaries describe her as an artist's artist, using whatever medium seemed best to express her view of the world. She was best known for her work in papermaking and interestingly her grandfather, Joseph M. Cathcart, was instrumental in the papermaking process, including perfecting colored crepe paper at the family paper mill in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. Much of her work reflected the spirituality of nature. A piece of her artwork is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. An exhibition of her work was recently shown at the gallery of the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Peggy was married in 1956 to Ronald S. Swartout, a Gloversville native, and they enjoyed 52 years of married life. She enjoyed sailing, tennis, skiing and travel and was active in Woods Church in Severna Park.

She is survived by: her husband; her two children, Jeffery S. Swartout (Kelly) of Severna Park, Md., Lisa A. Scheetz (Randy) of Wilmington, De.; two sisters, Patricia M. Galea of Johnstown, N.Y. and Virginia M. Mackey (Eugene) of Gloversville, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Jeremy, Jordin, and Lauren Scheetz and Anthony and Juliana Swartout; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Santolucito, and brother, Frederick Santolucito, of Norwich, N.Y.

A cremation service was held on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at the Chandler Funeral Home, Wilmington, De. A memorial celebration of her life will be held on Monday, July 20, 2009, at Woods Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park, Md. 21146. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gloversville senior center or the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern N.Y.

Margaret Ann Shields Swartout, "Peggy," age 76, of Severna Park, Md., died June 23, 2009. She was the daughter of Bernard R. and Elizabeth M. Cathcart Shields of Gloversville, N.Y. Born June 3, 1933, in Norwich, N.Y., she graduated from Gloversville High School class of 1951. She also was a graduate of Cornell University School of Nursing with a BSN and worked in the field of nursing for several years. She returned to school and graduated with a master's degree in fine arts from the Maryland Institute, College of Fine Arts. She was an accomplished artist and produced materials for over 40 exhibitions in the mid Atlantic area, including galleries in Washington, D.C. achieving the status of Juried artist. Peg taught ceramics and drawing at Ann Arundal Community College, Severna Park, Md. and continued her studies in painting and printmaking at several prestigious craft schools including Haystack School of Crafts, Deer Isle, Me. Her contemporaries describe her as an artist's artist, using whatever medium seemed best to express her view of the world. She was best known for her work in papermaking and interestingly her grandfather, Joseph M. Cathcart, was instrumental in the papermaking process, including perfecting colored crepe paper at the family paper mill in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. Much of her work reflected the spirituality of nature. A piece of her artwork is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. An exhibition of her work was recently shown at the gallery of the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Peggy was married in 1956 to Ronald S. Swartout, a Gloversville native, and they enjoyed 52 years of married life. She enjoyed sailing, tennis, skiing and travel and was active in Woods Church in Severna Park.

She is survived by: her husband; her two children, Jeffery S. Swartout (Kelly) of Severna Park, Md., Lisa A. Scheetz (Randy) of Wilmington, De.; two sisters, Patricia M. Galea of Johnstown, N.Y. and Virginia M. Mackey (Eugene) of Gloversville, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Jeremy, Jordin, and Lauren Scheetz and Anthony and Juliana Swartout; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Santolucito, and brother, Frederick Santolucito, of Norwich, N.Y.

A cremation service was held on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at the Chandler Funeral Home, Wilmington, De. A memorial celebration of her life will be held on Monday, July 20, 2009, at Woods Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park, Md. 21146. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gloversville senior center or the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern N.Y.