Mandie Swiger
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BiographyAMANDA "MANDIE" SWIGER1983-2010 Amanda "Mandie" Avalon Swiger, 27, went home to the Lord on March 2, 2010, after an 11-year battle with kidney failure. She passed away in the comfort of her family home with her parents and twin sister Megan by her side. Mandie was born Jan. 18, 1983, in Castro Valley to Chuck (Papa) and Stacie (Mama) Swiger. Mandie is survived by her beautiful daughter, Alani Marie, her parents Chuck and Stacie Swiger, twin sister Megan and brother-in-law Darrin Christle, nephews Tyler, Jordan and Nate, uncles Daniel Beagan and Clay Reeder. Mandie attended Corvallis Elementary in San Leandro, Del Ray Elementary in San Lorenzo, El Centro and Bel Aire upon moving to Napa in 1993. She graduated from Vintage High School in 2001. As a little girl, Mandie always loved spending time with her Papa, especially going fishing at Lake Chabot. They would get up at 4 a.m. and fish the entire day. More times than not, Papa's Little Goomer would come home with more fish than him. Every year she would always tend the garden with her Big Goomer, and come harvest time she would be so excited to pull up her treasures from the earth. Mandie has always had a love for animals. Her dream was to work in an environment where she would be with animals. She raised two pigs, named Bob and John, for the FFA and had the opportunity to sell them at the Napa Town & Country Fair. As an adult, Mandie worked at Frontier Pet Clinic, making her dream a reality. On April 6, 1999, at the age of 16, Mandie went into kidney failure. She was taken to UC San Francisco where she was told that she would need a kidney transplant. She started dialysis and on Dec. 6, 1999, she received her Mama's kidney at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. After her transplant she was granted a wish from the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. Mandie wanted it to be a wish that her family could enjoy as well because she always said that we all went through it together. Her ideal wish for all of us was to go on a Disney Cruise and to Disney World. Disney's Animal Kingdom was a favorite park of hers. She loved the safari ride and all of the animals. It was one of the best times of her life! Mandie received her second kidney transplant from her twin sister, Megan, on Feb. 11, 2005. If they weren't close enough being twins, this procedure brought them even closer. Their bond has been amazing over the years. A huge highlight in Mandie's life was getting to go see "The Price Is Right" show. She had become a huge fan while doing dialysis and had always dreamed of going to the show. Her dream came true when a phone call came from CBS Studios asking Mandie and her family to join them for a taping of the show. Bob Barker introduced Mandie to the audience as his special friend and she was given a complete tour of the set. She met Barker's Beauties, Rich Fields and producer Kathy Greco. One of her favorite photos is of her with Bob Barker in front of the "Big Wheel." Mandie gave birth to her beautiful miracle daughter, Alani Marie, on March 31, 2007. It was soon after that Mandie's body started rejecting Megan's kidney and Mandie was back on dialysis. Mandie fought for many years with her kidney disease, yet always with a smile and even if it was one of her worst days, she would smile and say "I feel great!" She never wanted anybody to know just how bad it really was. Her strength amazed many. Anyone who ever had the opportunity to know Mandie loved Mandie. In our hearts she will always be. Donations in Mandie's memory can be made to Napa County Humane Society, Napa Valley Hospice, Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Northern California Kidney Foundation. Words of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.tulocaycemetery.org. |