Obituaries

A Boston Red Sox fan, she took her portable radio to the beach so she wouldn't miss a game. She also enjoyed gardening, reading and music. She always shared her home with at least one cat.

Her marriage to Joseph Walsh ended in divorce.

Survivors include her partner of 22 years, Deb Ruggiero of Jamestown; her mother, Irma "Betty" Ioanes of Falls Church; and her sister, Barbara Ioanes of the District.

George E. WillisComputer Specialist

George E. Willis, 76, a computer specialist with the old Defense Communications Agency, died March 8 of cardiac arrest at Inova Fairfax Hospital. He was a 40-year resident of Springfield.

Mr. Willis was born in Dallas and served in the Marine Corps during World War II by claiming to be older than he was. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Upper Iowa University.

He worked in banking and insurance in Dallas and Ohio before joining the Defense Communications Agency, now the Defense Information Systems Agency, in 1967. He was a computer specialist and program analysis officer until his retirement in 1991.

Mr. Willis was a docent at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History and coached youth basketball and soccer in Springfield. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Springfield.

He kept a powerboat at his second home in Rehoboth Beach, Del. He was a member of the Coast Guard auxiliary for 20 years and taught safe-boating classes.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Mary B. Willis of Springfield; three children, Charles S. Willis of Purcellville, Lea Ann Stevens of Farmville, N.C., and Steven D. Willis of South Riding; one brother; and seven grandchildren.

Jessie C. SwendimanChurch Member

Jessie C. Swendiman, 90, a longtime church member in Kensington who served in the Navy Waves during World War II, died March 9 of congestive heart failure at Shanti Home hospice in Laurel. She lived in Kensington.

Mrs. Swendiman was born in Morristown, N.J., and graduated from Hunter College in New York. She taught high school English and Latin in New York before joining the Waves, the women's branch of the Navy, in World War II. She was a first lieutenant and served as assistant to the executive officer of the Potomac River Naval Command.

She remained in the Washington area after her marriage in 1945 and became an elder and deacon at Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church in Kensington.

Mrs. Swendiman was a Girl Scout leader and a Montgomery County election judge. She was a member of the PEO Sisterhood, a women's service organization; the Order of the Eastern Star; the Chi Omega sorority; and Homemakers of Montgomery County.

She enjoyed international travel.

Her husband of 30 years, Robert C. Swendiman, died in 1975.

Survivors include three children, Alan R. Swendiman of Kensington, JoAn S. McPhillips of St. Augustine, Fla., and Christine S. Stout of Reston; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.