Anne Elizabeth McComb Swaney: 1976 - 2016

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Anne Elizabeth died in Cayo, Belize, from a random act of violence. Like all victims, she deserved better. She deserved the chance to take more trips, ride more horses,bike more places - live more life. But it was not to be.

Anne Elizabeth graduated from Platte County High School in 1994. She participated in many activities including drama and journalism. She was editor of her high school yearbook. She graduated from the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, in 1998. At Northwestern, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Anne Elizabeth recently celebrated 16 years of working at ABC-7 in Chicago as the executive producer of online operations. She loved her job and was good at it; she loved her city, too.

A traveler and explorer, Anne Elizabeth's love of adventure began when she was 11 years old and won a trip to Boston. She spent the rest of her life seeking new experiences, starting in college on a world tour with Semester at Sea.

Among her excursions, she rode horses in Costa Rica, Scotland, Turkey and Greece, took part in a cattle drive through Utah's Brice Canyon, rode her bike in Iowa's RAGBRI, traveled to Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Hungary and Austria.

PHOTOS: Anne Elizabeth McComb Swaney, 1976-2016

Anne Elizabeth was preceded in death by her Tatman grandparents (George and Billie) and by her Swaney grandparents (Tom and Jerry). Her brother, John Tatman Swaney, died from a heart condition two years ago at age 39. Her beloved Uncle Evert (Asjes), also preceded her in death.

Anne Elizabeth is survived by her mother, Georgeanne Tatman Swaney, her father, Jack Williams Swaney and his wife Ruth (all of Platte City), a brother, David Robbins Swaney and his wife Lauren, and her maternal aunt, Susan Tatman Asjes (all of Kansas City), and many loving paternal aunts, uncles and cousins.

She also is survived by a host of friends from all the glorious phases of her too-short life. She was a reader, a writer, a great correspondent and a good and kind friend. She will be in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to:

Northland Therapeutic Riding Center

P.O. Box 1267

Kearney, MO 64060

Changing Leads Equine Rescue

P.O. Box 901343

Kansas City, MO 64190

A visitation will be held Saturday, January 23 from 1-3 p.m. at the Rollins Funeral Home, 1106 Branch Street, Platte City, MO. Private family graveside service to follow.