Lore Swieca: Celebrating the turn of a century at the friendly confines

By Cynthia Maquet

In 1930, Downers Grove resident Lore Swieca attended her first Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Ninety-three years later, she is still a loyal Cubs fan. On July 16, 2023, Swieca and 54 of her closest friends and family took a charter bus from Downers Grove to the Friendly Confines to celebrate her 100th birthday by rooting for her favorite team.

Although the Cubs lost to the Boston Red Sox on Swieca’s birthday outing, the day will go down in history and never be forgotten by those who attended with her. The group made a “visitor’s box” (the seat next to her) for her attendees to rotate in and out and spend time with her throughout the game. She even enjoyed a Cub’s beer from a bat and made it on the scoreboard’s video screen!

Swieca’s favorite part of the game will always be “when the Cubbies hit a home run!” This has not changed since she was seven years old.

The Chicago-born native grew up on the North Side of Chicago but has made her home in Downers Grove for the past 23 years. She enjoys spending time with her family, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her son Chris Swieca added, “My mom and dad (in memoriam) also spent 20 years in Long Boat Key, Florida, imprinting fond memories for all of us.”

Now Swieca enjoys playing Scrabble and practicing horticulture. She is also blessed with a great group of neighbors in such a wonderful community.

When asked if she had any advice for others, Swieca answered, “You cannot move forward if you keep looking back.” Sage advice from a centenarian.