Sr. Thoma Swanson, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Sister Thoma Swanson died at Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH on January 9, 2026. She was born in 1928 in Kent, OH and in 1950 entered the Congregation of St. Mary of the Springs, now the Dominican Sisters of Peace. 

Sr. Thoma received degrees from the College of St. Mary of the Springs (now Ohio Dominican University), Kent State University and Cardinal Stritch University, her Master of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking from the Pratt Institute. She served as a teacher in CT and OH and served as the Chair of the Art Department at Albertus Magnus College. She served as a missionary in Chimbote, Peru where she taught and worked with the women to develop artistic handcrafted items for sale. She produced many paintings, tapestries, stained glass windows, and murals as commissioned artwork in several areas in Peru and the United States. 

She was a prolific watercolorist and oil painter whose themes were frequently rooted in theological statements, social justice commentary, celebration of Dominican Saints, and lush mountain landscapes, many of which were inspired by her years in Chimbote, Peru. The Columbus Motherhouse chapel stained-glass windows are a constant reminder of her diverse talents and her optimistic sacramental outlook. Her portrayal of East Rock, New Haven CT hangs in the President’s office at Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT where she taught art for many years.

An avid supporter of the DIA, Dominican Institute for the Arts, Thoma was the 2005 recipient of the Fra Angelico Award, an honor she treasured and took great delight in receiving.

She was preceded in death by her parents Murray and Marie Green Swanson and her brothers, Andrew and Thomas Swanson. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Vigil of Remembrance Service will be held at 4:45 PM on January 16, 2026 at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel, Columbus, OH.

The funeral liturgy will be held at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel at 9:30 AM on January 17, 2026 followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery by Egan-Ryan Funeral Home.

Memorial gifts in Sr.Thoma’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219, or submitted securely at oppeace.org.

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