This Saturday, the Lithgow Lazers will form a guard of honour to remember a very special member of their leadership and volunteer team.
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Rae Swift, who passed away on May 25 aged 74, dedicated 40 years to the Lithgow Basketball Association. Her contribution to the sport will be marked permanently, with the naming of the new scoreboard in her honour at 3.45pm on Saturday ahead of the home game at 4pm.
Association president Richard Marjoram described Mrs Swift as "the mother of Lithgow basketball".
"She was involved in a lot of different capacities, she served as president, secretary and treasurer," he said.
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Mrs Swift made her mark in the junior and senior competitions, helping to run competitions.
"She was often there to late hours running the men's and women's comps," Mr Marjoram said.
In 2007, Ms Swift's dedication was rewarded with a long service award from Basketball NSW.
She was also named as a life member of Lithgow's Basketball Association.
Even after she stood down from official duties several years ago, Mrs Swift was a regular at games as a volunteer, collecting money at the gate at home games and working at the canteen and helping with the scoring.
"It's a sad loss for Lithgow basketball," Mr Marjoram said.
"She was always there for her sons and continued to be involved with her grandson and granddaughter."
A statement was released on behalf of Rae's family on Thursday, on behalf of Wilson, Michael, Mark and Kym, Steven (deceased), David and Julia and Rae's grandchildren, thanking everyone "for their messages, kind words and thoughts during this very difficult time".
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