To the Editor:

On March 12, Nancy Schworm celebrated her 85th birthday exactly the way she wanted to — with her family. Her four sons —  Rick from Colorado, Roger from New York, Gary from Virginia, and Glenn from Florida — all came home and surprised her as our gift of celebration.

Our mom is a lifelong resident of the Duanesburg area, born of Irish/Scottish parents, and is as strong as they come. As an example, at the age of 8, she was reported to be the youngest telephone operator anywhere managing the switchboard that her parents ran as a business from their home, and now at 85 she continues to teach piano to people of all ages.

Mom’s lifelong partner and our dad, Cappy Schworm, left us to be with the Lord a few years ago. We miss him every day; however, we all felt like he was with us during this special celebration. Cappy gave his boys a clear mission before he left us — look out for your mom no matter what, and we do that every day!

You can only imagine what it was like to raise four boys who all were athletic, rambunctious, rebellious, and headstrong. To see the look on Mom’s face when we all came into the house to surprise her, seemed to make all that hard work she did worth it.

Inside family secret — Mom didn’t think she was going to make it to 85 so we all had to be home with her to make sure she did!

We took Mom for a very special dinner at Bear’s Steakhouse in Duanesburg. When your dad is a butcher growing up, you never eat at a steakhouse so we decided it was time. All of us agreed that the meal they served was by far one of the best we had ever eaten.

We finished dinner with homemade desserts that were spectacular, and sang happy birthday to Mom. What a terrific weekend that included her sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. So now that Mom has made it to 85 she has a new life goal — STRONG@100! 

We love you, Mom!

Rick Schworm,

Watkins, Colorado

Roger Schworm

Spencerport, New York

Gary Schworm

Manakin Sabot, Virginia

Glenn Schworm

Redington Beach, Florida