Kate Sweely - Obituary

ate Linn Sweely, age 20, the daughter of Lori and Doug Sweely of Annapolis, passed on July 2, 2011 after a short illness. Kate, sister to Kurt, was a 2009 graduate of Broadneck High School (BHS) where she was known for both her extraordinary academic achievement, particularly in science, and her proven musical talent. She helped with the musicals, including set design and building and acted as the stage manager in many productions at Broadneck. She was a member of all of the vocal groups at BHS as well as AA County and Maryland All State Choirs. Kate was an officer in the National Honor Society and Tri‐M music honor society. In high school, she received numerous academic awards including being an AP scholar and a two time Ben Carson Scholarship recipient. Kate’s talents were merged with her deep spiritual beliefs, and she was active in all areas of her church’s ministry including the youth and music programs at Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis where she was lead vocalist in the Calvary Youth Praise Band. Her interest in science led to her going to the University of North Carolina (UNC)at Ashville with a major in atmospheric science and a minor in mathematics. This summer, Sweely was serving as an intern at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center working on a study on particular cloud formations and their impact on climate. She loved all weather related phenomena and was known for her interest in this in relation to its impact on people’s lives. While at Asheville, she was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. Kate was a Girl Scout Silver and Gold Award recipient. She had a servant’s heart and served as a missionary last year with the North American Mission Board in Kiana, AK, where she was a vacation Bible school director, worship leader and youth minister in a small bush village north of the Arctic Circle. She was a member and the current president of the Baptist Student Union at UNC Asheville. Last year, she served as worship leader for the ministry and was very active in other campus ministry functions, including prison ministry and Bible study. She had a passion for mission work and had traveled to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina cleanup twice, as well as traveling to many other states yearly to participate in mission work throughout her middle and high school years. Whether it was her beautiful voice, her contagious smile, her friendly personality or her incredible intellect, Kate Sweely touched everyone she met. A celebration of Kate's life will take place July 16 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Methodist,301 Rowe Blvd. Annapolis, MD 21401. The family requests that uplifting colors be worn, especially something purple, which was her favorite. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: UNC Asheville Foundation Kate Sweely Endowed Scholarship, 312 Owen Hall CPO 1800 UNC Asheville One University Heights Asheville, NC 28804 or Calvary United Methodist Church, Kate Sweely Mission Memorial Fund, 301 Rowe Blvd. Annapolis, MD 21401.