Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Barbara L. SWAYNE
Barbara L. Karas, 65, former teacher, coach and horsewoman, of West Chester, passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 26, 2009.
She was the beloved wife of Lawrence Karas, sharing 36 years of marriage.
Barbara was a 1961 graduate of West Chester Henderson High School and a 1965 graduate of West Chester State College, and she earned her master's degree from Temple University.
A physical education teacher and athletic coach, Barbara taught for one year at Henderson High School then returned to West Chester State College as an associate professor in the health and physical education department.
During her tenure at West Chester University, Barbara was head women's tennis coach and head women's swimming coach. In 1972, her swimming team won the national title.
In 1982, Barbara's tennis team won the championship for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. In addition, Barbara's tennis teams qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships for five consecutive years.
She chaired the NCAA Tennis Selection Committee and was active with the Middle States Tennis Association. Barbara was an enthusiastic teacher and role model and cared deeply for her students. She was also a member of the West Chester University Athletic Hall of Fame.
At Henderson High School, Barbara swam, ran track, played field hockey and was the No. 1 tennis singles player. She enjoyed playing the French horn in high school, and this talent evolved to blowing the huntsman horn. At West Chester State College, Barbara played tennis and field hockey and later became a member of the United States Field Hockey Team.
Barbara completed the Colorado Outward Bound Mountain Course and was one of the first women to run the Boston Marathon in 1970.
Barbara was an avid horsewoman and fox hunter. Her roots in the sport run deep. Her paternal great-grandfather was the huntsman for the West Chester Hunt, and her maternal great-grandfather, who owned the Embreeville Gristmill, also kept and hunted a pack of hounds. Barbara spent many enjoyable hours in the field with the West Chester and West Bradford Hunt Clubs. She served on the Board of the Chester County Fox Hunters Association and once commented, "I think I have a footprint in every part of Chester County."
Surviving is her husband, Larry; brother, Michael Leighton (Nancy); sister, Susan Farrell (Bill) of Fort Pierce, Fla.; stepmother, Mildred Swayne of Lumberton, N.C.; two stepbrothers, Bruce Swayne (Carol) of Lumberton, N.C., and Keith Swayne (Sally) of Uniontrail, N.C.; and a stepsister, Nancy Harrison (Phil) of Kennesaw, Ga.
She is also survived by four nieces, Lysa, Julie, Amanda and Jessica; and four nephews, Glenn, Andrew, Charles and Hayden. Also surviving is her great-aunt, Florence Loomis. Barbara leaves behind her beloved Jack Russell terrier, Vicky; and numerous loyal friends who feel the void of Barbara's passing.
Barbara was predeceased by her father, Bayard Swayne; mother, Barbara Leighton; her stepfather, Roy Leighton; and her paternal grandparents, Clarence and Edna Swayne. On her maternal side, Barbara is predeceased by grandparents, Isaac and Helen Smith.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, followed by her service at 11 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Route 202 and Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester.
Interment will be in Birmingham Lafayette Cemetery.
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