Florence Keil Swain
1923 ~ 2016
Florence Keil Swain was born on March 21,1923 and passed away on May20,2016. She was the daughter of William and Florence Keil. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Robert Swain, one sister Eleanor, two brothers, Martin and George, two sons-in-law, Lynn Bennion and David Hess and one grandson, Casey Lynn Bennion. We will honor our mother at a private family gathering at her request.
Our sweet mother passed away quietly at the home of her son Jeff and his wife Kim, where she had been living for the past four years. She spent some of her weekends at Sharon’s home doing puzzles and having her fingernails painted bright red and enjoyed going to lunch and having holiday dinners with Sue’s family.
We love her very much and it has been a pleasure to take care of her for the past year. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Sharon and Jim West, JoAnne and Floris Copier, Sue and Buzz Fenton, Bob and Judy Swain, Jeff and Kim Swain, her sister Betty and Norm Hanneman, her brother Paul Keil, a brother-in-law Deveaux and Marge Clark and lots of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other extended family members.
This was a favorite verse of Moms’, it seems appropriate at this time:
God saw that I was getting tired
And recovery was not to be,
So He put his arm around me
And whispered come with me.
With a tearful eye you watched
And saw me fade away.
Although I love you dearly
No longer could I stay.
A physical heart stopped beating
Working hands were put to rest.
I know your hearts are breaking,
But I am walking with the best.
She was a wonderful mother and we have no doubt that she has been reunited with her true love, Walter Robert Swain, who preceded her in death on August 6, 2001. She spoke of him often and always wondered what he was doing and if he would be waiting for her. They truly had a happy marriage. They worked side by side in their business and were able to travel all over the world together.
Many, many thanks to Jeff and Kim for their unselfish and untiring tender loving care of Mom. They have been angels in every way. Kim went the extra mile to care for her personal needs and Jeff will always remember how he carried her many times in the last few weeks.
She always had such fun when she went to work with Bob and his family, they made such a big fuss over her and she loved it; Some of the other grandchildren had the opportunity to stay with her a few times when it was needed and all of the grandchildren were very sweet to her. Thank you to everyone who took the time to sit on the couch and visit with her and ask her questions. Thanks Ryan.
We extend a heartfelt thanks to her special friend Paul who recently passed away in February, for his many years of friendship.
Sunrise Hospice was there for us the last few months and we appreciate all of them very much, thank you Malissa and Melinda, Kirk and April for your gentle care of Mom.
Things we remember about our mother:
She loved to eat ice cream; to watch the horses where ever we could find them; the deer in the backyard; to help pull weeds; all the things that she took from us [they call it ‘Dementia Shopping’]; how much she loved her rings; how she always wanted to help; how she made her bed first thing and always folded her clothes and pajamas nice and neat; how conscientious she was to sort the bicycle parts for Bob; to feed the chickens; she loved it when Bob’s family sang happy birthday to her three times---- her joining in the last time; to ride around in Jeff’s truck and go to lunch with him; never hearing her gossip about anyone; wondering about her car that she wouldn’t be driving very far, just a little ways; she loved the trees, clouds and blossoms and always commented on them; she loved spring and we’re glad that she finally got to see the leaves back on the trees; she loved her red fingernails but did not like being forced to have pedicures; she spent many hours doing puzzles and reading; her retelling of how the chicken pecked her on the lip when she was a little girl.
We will miss her deeply, but know that she is better off and more comfortable now.
Mom, thanks for all the wonderful memories and for all the funny things you said and did that made us laugh every day. You will forever be in our hearts.
We love you.
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Your mom was a sweet lovely lady. She is so happy to be with your dad. What a happy reunion for them after all these years. Jeff and Kim you are angels here on earth. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family especially now.
Maureen Newbold
.
So sorry for your loss beautifully wrote for a beautiful lady
Love you grandma. Sweet dreams and we will hope to see you soon.
Thank you for always being so kind and making us feel like family. We always enjoyed spending time with you. You are a wonderful lady. All our love
I remember what great fun were the many trips and stays with Walt & Florence. They were always so good to me and my mom and dad. Much peace and comfort to the Swain family.
Our thoughts, love and prayers to you and your family
A lovely tribute to a very lovely lady…In the
years that I knew Florence I always admired her.
She was always smiling no matter what, and looked
her best at all times..My husband Deveaux (Dev) was
close to his brother Walt and Florence..He has such fond
memories of them and the family..Your mom will be greatly
missed but now she can have that perfect peace with her
loved ones that have gone on before her…You all are in are
thoughts and prayers at this time…
Our memories are of the strong spirit that carried Aunt Florence through life – her and Betty leading exercise classes for so many years, for example. Through it all Jeff and Kim have been saintly angels in caring for Walt and Florence when they needed care – with help from others in the family. You all have served her well. This life is about family – as is eternity. Our prayers are for all who Loved Florence and gratitude for the service you rendered to a stately lady.
To our dear friend, Flo. We thank her and Walt for the many years of friendship, and for their generosity in enriching our lives with so many happy memories. May she rest in peace.
What a beautiful tribute to your sweet mom. I can only imagine the joy she had seeing Walt again as she passed through the veil. Family is everything. Thank you for sharing all that you’ve had with ours.
Love, Jennie Sue