Maria Teresa Sweany

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our beloved mother, Maria Teresa Sweany, on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the age of 85. For the past 50 years she resided in Kennesaw, GA.

Born and raised in the mountain city of Cuenca, Ecuador, Maria's life took an incredible and unexpected turn when she met a Peace Corps volunteer named Billie Joe Sweany. They fell in love, and with incredible courage, she packed up her life and moved to America. Though she arrived speaking very little English and knowing less about American culture, her fierce determination, strong will, and deep love created a beautiful, thriving family.

A woman of faith and member of Saint Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Kennesaw, Maria had a rare gift for truly caring for people. No matter where she went, she turned brief encounters into lifelong friendships. Her warmth was felt by everyone who crossed her path.

She was a seamstress, a gardener, and a traveler. If you did not find her nurturing her vibrant flower garden, she was exploring the world. Her passion for travel and beauty truly reflected the adventurous, joyful life she carried every day.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Billie Joe Sweany; her children, Martina (Brian) Kennel, Woodstock, GA, and Stephen (Stefanie) Sweany, Dallas, GA; sisters, Emperatriz Angela Abril Abril and Piedad del Carmen Abril Abril, Cuenca, Ecuador; four grandchildren, Colin and Trevor, and Reagan and Ryann.

A funeral mass will be celebrated for Maria on November 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 1618 Ben King Road, Kennesaw, Ga 30144.  All are welcome to join the family. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at www.svdpgeorgia.org

She leaves behind a legacy of strength, resilience, and unconditional love. We will miss her profoundly, but we take comfort in knowing her beautiful spirit lives on in the family she built and the countless lives she touched.

Rest in peace, Maria. You are forever in our hearts.