Remembering Frances Swinny

Frances Cuny Richter Swinny, professor emerita of speech and drama, died on Feb. 9, in San Antonio. She was 98.

Frances joined Trinity University's Department of Speech and Drama—now the Department of Human Communication and Theatre—in 1948. For more than nine decades Frances was a strong and ebullient soul beloved by family, friends, colleagues, and countless former students.

Frances was born in San Diego, California to Frances Cuny and Paul Richter. She was the youngest of four children. When her father retired from the Navy, Frances and her family moved to San Antonio. Frances was 4 years old when the family drove to Texas in a canvas-topped Star with all four kids in the back seat. Frances recalled that at dusk her precious mother made the kids change into pajamas to encourage sleep while their father drove. Upon arrival in San Antonio the family moved into 138 E. Mayfield. Frances adored the family home, touring by it many times in her later years. She was devoted to her parents and siblings, but recalled, laughing, "the worst thing I ever did was sass my mama." Frances' family were serious Lutherans. Every Sunday they would drive from Mayfield to Grace Lutheran Church in downtown San Antonio. Frances always said, "we never missed a Sunday."

By elementary school Frances was taller than all the girls her age. Frances' five maternal aunts jokingly urged Frances' mother to, "put a brick on her head" to stunt her growth. Frances skipped a grade, "not because I was smart, but because I was so tall." However, Frances learned from an early age to be proud of her height. She often quoted her father who said, "don't slump, be proud of your height, throw your shoulders back." Frances carried her beautiful height and posture well into her 90's.

Frances attended Harlandale High School where she was Senior Class President and Editor in Chief of the school paper. She was in the Gold Shirt Band, playing the clarinet, but she always claimed she was not very good. Frances was well liked and admired by her teachers and classmates. She graduated high school in 1940 at the age of 16. After high school, Frances went to work for Mrs. Ely, the Bexar County Tax Assessor. During WWII, Frances performed clerical work at Kelly Field and attended night school at St. Mary's University. Frances found night school less fulfilling than she'd hoped and she told her father, who she adored, "I'm not getting anywhere." Despite her father's desire for Frances to remain close to home, she elected to attend the University of Texas at Austin (UT).

Frances embarked for UT after WWII and lived in a university approved boarding house on University Avenue run by "Mama Copeland." Frances often regaled family with tales of Patsy, the house cook, and Frances' favorite dish: cornbread muffin with bacon drippings. Her bed was on the front porch, separated from other boarders by shutters. Because her father was concerned about her safety, he tied a rope to Frances' bed leg with the instruction, "Puddin', if there's ever a fire, throw this rope out the window and shimmy down it." Frances had many fond recollections of her years at UT and graduated in 1948 with a B.S. in Speech Education and English. After graduation, Frances started teaching at Trinity University at age 25. Frances returned to UT and earned her Master of Education in Special Education—Speech Pathology in 1951.

In her prime, Frances stood 5'11" while sporting a shock of white hair inherited from her father. Frances evolved into an expert seamstress because stylish clothing was not available for a woman of her stature. Frances favored classic tailored attire and high heeled shoes. On many Saturdays Frances drove to Houston Street in her cherished robin's egg blue Oldsmobile convertible. Though frugal, Frances splurged on the beautiful Oldsmobile with her teacher's salary. Once she reached downtown San Antonio, she shopped for accessories and shoes to complement the clothing she made. Frances fondly recalled rubbing the soft leather soles of her new high heels on her cheeks. When Frances was "dressed," she always carried a beautiful handkerchief and regularly sported fashionable hats with kid gloves.

Frances' mom used to tell her, "Puddin', you're too independent, you'll never get married." Frances agreed with that notion because in her era the ideal woman was, "five foot two, eyes of blue and I was anything but that!" At Trinity, Frances established a close friendship with a theater student, William Heywood Swinny. Several years after they met, Bill visited Trinity and according to Frances, "he found me in the hallway sharpening my pencil, I was shocked to see him." Bill had come to inquire, "how about I pick you up and we go to Earl Abel's after work?" After much thought, Frances agreed to part with some of her independence and Bill and Frances were joyfully married in 1954 at Grace Lutheran Church. For 61 years they maintained their animated banter and remained devoted companions until Bill's death in 2015.

Bill and Frances began their married life at an apartment on Broadway just across the street from Christ Lutheran Church where they were members for years. Later in their married life, they attended services at Margarite B. Parker Chapel on Trinity's campus. Frances never migrated far from that first apartment. She lived on Lamont, Evans, Imlay, and then back to Lamont before finally moving to The Forum at Lincoln Heights. A creature of habit, she lived, worked, and recreated within a few mile radius. As agreeable as Frances was her entire life, she had difficulty accepting change.

Frances Swinny, top left and a head above the rest, as part of the 1977-78 Department of Speech and Drama faculty.

Frances was a revered and beloved institution at Trinity, where she taught for 42 years in the Speech and Drama Department. During her tenure she provided tireless service to the university. She founded the Trinity University Speech Festival which attracted high school students from across Texas to compete in speech and drama competitions. Frances was always driven to excel and in 1972 she began work on her Ph.D. because, "most of my colleagues have a Ph.D." By 1980, Frances completed her Ph.D. at UT, though she downplayed the title "Dr. Swinny." Frances was adored and respected by her students and in 1986 she was the first recipient of the ZT Scott Award for excellence in teaching. Her other awards and recognitions include the Piper Professor Award, Danforth Associate, Chair of the Department of Speech and Drama, membership in numerous professional speech organizations, and authorship of many speeches and publications. After a long, fruitful career, Frances retired in 1990.

Frances began retirement at age 66. Still full of energy and drive, she volunteered at Howard Early Childhood Center and Woodridge Elementary School. In addition, she reveled in time spent with her 6 grandchildren. Frances also enjoyed traveling with family, visiting friends, belonging to the TU Women's Club, attending her monthly Card Group, entertaining in her home, and attending theatre and music productions. She also maintained her lifelong love of singing. Frances routinely broke out into songs she felt were apropos to the conversation at hand. Her knowledge of lyrics was prodigious, and she often stated, "I always wanted to be a big band singer." Her energy and zest for life impressed all who knew her. She often would say, "you know I like people." Her excellent health and longevity where attributable to a lifetime of exercise, including many years of Ball Class and weightlifting at Concord Athletic Club. So dedicated to "doing the right thing," she continued to drive to Concord into her 90's. Frances' primary care physician once marveled at Frances' health and vigor late in life declaring she was, "a victim of her own success." Frances lived her life with courage and grace and even as time took its toll, she maintained an optimistic attitude. When asked, "how are you?" her inevitable response was, "I'd be ashamed to complain."

Her absence will be profoundly felt by her son, Stephen Richter Swinny and wife, Betsy Swinny; her daughter, Lisa Swinny Treat and husband, David Lawrence Treat; her grandchildren, William Wheeler Swinny and husband, Chris V Alcoser; Eric Lawrence Swinny; Chloe Treat and husband, Or Matias; India Treat; Keenan Richter Treat; Bronte Treat; and one great granddaughter, Cora Tzipora Matias-Treat; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill; parents Paul Sr. and Frances Richter; brother Paul Richter, Jr. and wife, Frances Richter; brother Robert Richter and wife, Gwen Richter; sister Marguerite Nemky and husband, Harold Nemky. Frances spent her final years at The Forum at Lincoln Heights where she was treasured by many new friends. The family is grateful for the love, care, and compassion provided by the excellent nurses and staff at The Forum and Kindred Hospice.

Memorials in Frances' honor may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Southern Texas Chapter, 1776 Yorktown, Suite 560, Houston, TX 77056 or a charity of your choice.