Tamara Swora-Gober

Tamara Swora- Gober 78, of Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania and North Port, Florida, passed away at Abington Hospital in Abington, PA on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Tamara was born in Stuttgart, Germany on July 22, 1946.  She was the daughter of John Swora and Agrippina Ribnikova Swora of Wyndmoor.  Tamara, as well as her parents, are a testament to the American Dream, having immigrated from Germany in 1950. Tamara graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls.  She attended Penn State achieving several undergraduate and graduate degrees; B.A. in Russian Language, M.A. in Slavic Languages and Literature, a Russian Area Studies certificate, and was all but dissertation (ABD) for D.ED. in Higher Education Administration.  While pursuing her interdisciplinary studies she worked as the Head of the Microfilms Reference Division at Penn State Pattee Library and even taught some basic Ukrainian.  She then relocated to Washington D. C. and worked for the Library of Congress (LOC).  During her time at the LOC, she forged her way advancing to become the Chief of Preservation and Formatting & Digital Collections Production Manager for American Memory Program.  Besides her notable professional achievements, Tamara was known as a true friend to her colleges in the LOC, and was highly regarded for her fierce character and as a compassionate, dear ally.  She retired from the LOC in 2001 after 25 years of service.

Following retirement, Tamara and her husband Jack traveled often between Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas.  They loved each other deeply and despite health care needs, enjoyed their time together.

She is survived by her sister Anna Swora, her niece Elizabeth Geise (husband Ben), her nephew Alexander Van Haute, and step-daughter Jill Gober Menendez (husband Daniel) and three grandchildren: Marlee, Daniella and Miles, all of Houston, Texas.  Tamara was a devoted sister, aunt, step-mother, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Gober of Minersville and Wyndmoor, who also worked for the Library of Congress.  She was always by his side through 21 years of his illnesses.  Additionally, Tamara provided love, care, and companionship to her Mother throughout the final years of her life.  Tamara was truly selfless and devoted herself to caring for her family with every ounce of her being.

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, her viewing will be held at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral at 9 AM followed by Requiem Services at 10 AM. Burial will follow at Lawnview Cemetery in Rockledge, PA.

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