St. Augustine is remembering one of its most beloved honorary residents — Emmy-winning actress and longtime animal welfare champion Loretta Swit — who died last week at the age of 85.
Known to the world as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the groundbreaking television series MASH*, Swit was also known throughout St. Johns County for her kindness, generosity, and deep ties to the local community.
A frequent visitor and outspoken supporter of local causes, Swit served as Grand Marshal of the 2016 St. Augustine Easter Parade and was an honorary board member of Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Shelter, a cause close to her heart.
Her support wasn’t merely symbolic — she actively hosted multiple fundraisers for the shelter, donating proceeds from her artwork and books to support their mission.
Swit also leveraged her celebrity connections, bringing fellow MASH stars to town for major benefit events, including a memorable gala at TPC Sawgrass that featured Ed Asner, Gary Burghoff, Mike Farrell, and Jamie Farr.
Through these efforts, she helped raise significant awareness and funding for animal welfare in the region.
“She acted like… well… like a local,” one community post read, recalling how Swit would often chat with neighbors and grab burgers at popular local spots like Kaliburger during her visits. Her down-to-earth nature endeared her to many who appreciated how she embraced the community.
Swit passed away Thursday in Los Angeles, her publicist confirmed to the Associated Press. Her career on MASH* earned her two Emmy Awards and ten nominations, as well as four Golden Globe nods.
Beyond television, she also received acclaim for her stage work, including the prestigious Sarah Siddons Award in Chicago theater, reflecting her versatility as an actress.
But to many in St. Augustine, it wasn’t her impressive acting résumé that stood out — it was her unwavering devotion to animals and the people who cared for them.
She consistently used her platform to advocate for no-kill shelters and animal rights, leaving a lasting impact on local organizations and volunteers.
“She was a gracious, lovely and generous lady,” one commenter wrote. “A true professional and a wonderful humanitarian.”
