Barbara J. (Palac) Swistock, age 73, of Chelsea, MI passed away on January 16, 2022 at her home. She was born October 13, 1948 to Joseph and Anastasia Palac in Elizabeth, NJ. She was raised in Fanwood, NJ and graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.
Barbara moved to Ann Arbor, Ml in 1966 to attend the University of Michigan, where she earned her BA and MLS degrees. There she met and later married Robert Swistock. They moved from Ann Arbor to Chelsea in 1981. She always said Chelsea reminded her of beloved Fanwood.
Upon graduation, Barbara worked for the University of Michigan library system for 20 years, primarily as a subject cataloger at the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library on the Diag. Barbara loved animals and flowers, spending many hours on her rose garden and perennial bed. She especially loved her golden retrievers. A past president of the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club, she was an obedience instructor for the puppy classes (her favorite). Barbara also participated in pet therapy programs with her goldens at Chelsea Retirement Community and Chelsea Community Hospital, now St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital. Barbara also volunteered for many years at Chelsea Hospital, the Chelsea Library, and she assisted in the formation of the Heritage Room at the Chelsea Retirement Community.
She is survived by husband, Robert, sisters, Carol Reid and Janet Palac, cousins, Tanya, Bob, Paul, Steve, Janet, Joan, Joyce, nephews, Kevin, David, Adam, niece, Leah, and godson, Hon. Michael Brown.
A family service will be held in New Jersey later this year, COVID permitting.
The family would like to thank Dr. R. Patrias, Barbara's primary physician, A. Medina, personal aide, St. Joe's Chelsea Emergency team, St. Joe's Ann Arbor Oncology Department, Huron Valley Ambulance, and the team at Arbor Hospice for all the excellent care and professionalism that supported Barbara and the family during a difficult time.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
