Love. Faith. Kindness. Family-First, Always.
A life well-lived. A woman well-loved.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, Shirley Mae Swanson, 88, of Jasper, Missouri peacefully passed away in Fort Collins, CO with her daughter, Tammy, by her side. The daughter to Walter Pugh and Ruie Howrey, Shirley enjoyed her rural childhood and young adult life around the Jasper-Joplin, Missouri area. As the first grandchild on the Pugh side of the family, she was doted on and loved well. She loved reading from a very early age and preferred indoor to outdoor activities. A challenge when you grow up on a farm. From the start of 1st grade at Blue School she quickly made many friends and several that lasted her lifetime. After graduating from Jasper High School in 1953, Shirley began working in administrative roles and soon moved into the YWCA in Joplin. It was during an evening stroll with girlfriends that she met a young Marine, Carl Conaway Swanson, from Woodbine, MD, who invited her to the Marine Corp Ball for their first date.
Many dates followed until they were married on August 3, 1956. Shortly thereafter, they were stationed in Barstow, California. It was there that their first daughter, Carla was born. After retiring from the Marines, they returned to the Joplin, MO area where Carl attended community college and Shirley returned to the Dairy as secretary. During their time in Joplin, their second daughter Tammy was born. After receiving his associates degree, the family moved to Maryland where Carl attended Western Maryland to acquire his Bachelor’s degree and begin teaching at Westminster High School. Shirley was a wonderful cook and baker and maintained the home while working part-time for Avon. They built a beautiful home together out in the countryside where they added three more children to complete their family – Eric, Tracey and Todd. They remained in Maryland for 20 years building strong ties to the community and the United Methodist Church.
In 1986 while visiting family in CO, Carl became ill and in October of that year he passed away from cancer. Only 50 years old at the time, Shirley turned all her attention to her children and her first four grandchildren. She never remarried. She spent her time traveling (mostly to see her kids and grandkids and MO family). She loved adventures and was always game to hit the road. Over her lifetime, she was able to visit all 50 states, but her favorite state was where she chose to reside, Colorado.
Over the six weeks leading up to her death, Shirley received many visits, phone calls and video chats from family and friends local and from far away. Her appetite returned and she was treated to fried pickles, soup beans & cornbread, homemade butterscotch and gooseberry pies and many chocolate malts. Her grandson’s Dylon and Aaron checked in on her multiple times a week, bringing her whatever she was craving and spent Sunday’s watching football with her. She was loved well to her very last breath.
Shirley is survived by her sister, Marjorie Ellis, her children and their spouses: Carla Newton, Tammy Swanson, Eric & Joann Swanson, Tracey & Robert Beste, Todd & Lynda Swanson and Breanne Ferris. And her nieces and nephews: Kirk & Denise Ellis, Kelli & Jeff Garvey, Krystal & Chris Bickett, Michael & Gaye Pennington and Courtney Ayers.
Her family gave her purpose. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the “lights of her life”:
Grandchildren and spouses: Erika Swanson & Chris Lauer, Zach Swanson, TJ & Madi Swanson, Alisha Swanson, Ryan & Brooke Swanson, Leah & Bryan Mollendor, Amber & Adam Laser, Dylon Swanson, Colton Swanson, Trey Swanson.
Great and Great-Great grandchildren: Aaron Swanson, [Jackson Swanson], Jenesis Sanchez (and daughter Hazel), Dio Sanchez (and son Armando), Kevin Swanson, Isabelle Swanson, Sophie Swanson, Jemma Lauer, Ariyah Swanson, Charles Swanson, Tyler Lauer and James Swanson.
We were blessed to have an amazing matriarch to lead our family and love us so deeply. We will miss her greatly but knowing she is at peace, gives us peace.
The family will be holding a small and intimate celebration of life in the Spring of 2025. Donations can be made to the Denver Children’s Hospital in honor of her great-grandson, Jackson Swanson.
Condolences can be sent in care of Tracey Beste at 9750 Daugherty Road, Brooklyn, MI 49230.
