MaryEllen (Hegg) Swaim

Swaim, MaryEllen Dorothy (Hegg) The beloved wife of William R. Swaim, M.D. of Burnsville, Minnesota died peacefully at home at the age of 76 on July 31, 2009. Her loving compassionate Christian soul was a reflection of her faith in Jesus Christ to her husband, family and friends. Service in her church was a priority all of her life. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, wonderful, gentle disposition and enthusiasm for life. She was kind and generous and will be missed by all. Her children were raised with love and patience. She took great pride and joy to theirs and her grandchildren's accomplishments. She was an accomplished pianist and flutist and graduated Valedictorian from Duluth Central High School in 1950. Music brought her together with her husband in Junior High School and continued to be an important part of their 57-year marriage. She shared with her husband a passion for vocal music, reading (history), flowers, collecting antiques, genealogy, art and the theater. She actively supported and helped develop amateur swimming in Burnsville for many years. Following graduation from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota she obtained an advanced degree in Medical Technology from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. The family traveled extensively, and for more than 30 years Hana, Maui, Hawaii was a special winter retreat with very special aloha friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Adelia Barackman (Hegg) who died during childbirth; her father, the Reverend Verner Nathanael Hegg; and a grandmother, Lucy Mary Woodward (Barackman) who raised MaryEllen with two sisters, June Adelia Woodward and Laura Jane Woodward. She is survived by her husband, William Raymond Swaim, M.D.; and sons, William Woodward Swaim (Bonny), Steve Erick Swaim, M.D. (Jodi), Paul Michael Swaim; and daughter, Rebecca Aili Swaim (Mowers/Jeff). Seven grandchildren include, Jesse Beckman Mowers, Gregory William Swaim (Leah), Betsy Jane Mowers, Trevor Michael Swaim, Michael Joseph Swaim, Olivia Aili Swaim, and Matthew Steven Swaim. Surviving cousins include, Jane Lucy (Latson) Lewis of Richmond, Virginia, Sandra (Hegg) Rowley of Aurora, Ohio, Susan (Hegg) Stahl of Perrysburg, Ohio, Clinton Steven Hegg of Holland, Michigan, Barbara Larsen of Portland Oregon and Lynn Louise (Shafer) Wedlund of Cambridge, Minnesota. The family wishes to extend our special thanks to our Church family and friends for their prayers. Prayers are answered. The Allina Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care group including Eileen, Jonelle, and Debbie were especially helpful. Visitation will be held at Washburn- McReavy Funeral Chapel, 5000 W. 50th & Hwy. 100, Edina, MN 55436 on Wednesday, August, 5th from 5-8 pm. Interment will be at Forest Hills Cemetery, Duluth, Minnesota on Thursday, August, 6th, at 2 pm with friends of the family welcome to attend. Memorials preferred to Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church, 14401 Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124-6610. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

MaryEllen (Hegg) Swaim

August 2, 2009

Tributes

MaryEllen (Hegg) Swaim

August 2, 2009

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