Barbara Swiderski

BARBARA “BARB” (SWIDERSKI) BROWN

1213 Chelbrook Rd.

Chesapeake, VA 23322

update 11/29/04

After graduation from high school I went to work at Great Lakes, and it was there that I met a nice Marine who was to become my husband, Bill Brown. We got married in 1961 and moved to Gainesville Florida, where we both worked at the new VA Hospital. About a year later we made a trip to visit some friends on Marco Island, and we both fell in love with the place so we moved there. We owned a boat and traveled a lot in it, including going to the Florida Keys every year for lobster season. I learned how to snorkel and we used to camp out a lot. I never thought I would learn to camp-out, but although it was a lot of work, it was also fun.

Bill and I never had any children, but he had a daughter from his first marriage. In 1979 Bill went out to go fishing, and our boat got stuck on a sand bar. He tried to swim to shore, but the very strong current pulled him under. They found his body the next day and I became a widow at the age of 44.

I stayed single for a few years and then I met and married Jesse Komorny. He had three children ages 10, 12 & 13 years of age and they came to live with us. That was really tough for me since I never had children, but we got along good and they grew up to be great kids. Two of them had children, so I became a grandmother. After 18 years of marriage Jesse decided he didn't want to be married, so we got a divorce.

After living 32 years in Naples Florida, I moved to Chesapeake, Virginia to be closer to my sister Sharon and her family. We have since moved my mom to where at the age of 93 she is now living in an assisted living place.

I retired from Collier County Government a couple of years ago, but got bored sitting around so I went to work for the City of Chesapeake in the Human Resources Department. My plans for the future is to retire AGAIN in a couple of years, do some traveling and enjoy life.

I have a brother living in Antioch, and I get back at least once a year to visit him. Other than that my health is good and I am happy with my life.