Grace Swanston
July 4, 1941 - December 2, 2022
As published in the January 9, 2023 World-Spectator
Grace Swanston of Moosomin and formerly of Welwyn, Sask., beloved wife of the late Robert Swanston and loving mother to Murray (Margaret) Swanston, Lenore Etherington, Helen (Warren) Hickie, and Ryan Swanston, passed away at Long Term Care, Southeast Integrated Care Centre in Moosomin on Friday December 2, 2022 at the age of 81.
Grace was born on July 4, 1941 on her parents’ farm near Ste. Marthe, Sask. She was the eldest of two daughters born to Isaac and Elsie McLeod and was one of eleven siblings.
Grace attended school at Ferndale School and later Welwyn School with some time spent at Eston High School.
On October 6, 1962, Grace married Robert Swanston. Grace and Bob purchased a farm that same year and ran a mixed farming operation living and raising their family on this farm until their retirement into Welwyn.
Grace worked hard on the farm, spending hours gardening, canning, cooking and cleaning. Seeding and harvest seasons were especially busy with running meals to the fields and maintaining all the other chores that needed to be done.
Grace also volunteered many hours in the community of Welwyn, belonging to the UCW, helping out at the rink, the hall and the Sunday School.
Her favorite time of year was Christmas with the Welwyn School Christmas concert and the Sunday School concerts.
When she later retired into Welwyn, she enjoyed spending time at the Welwyn coffee shop and at the rink watching the locals curl.
She also enjoyed her visits with family, especially her grandchildren.
A few years after the move into Welwyn, Grace’s health began to falter and in 1998, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
In February 2011 Grace moved to the Broadview Nursing Home where she lived for several months and then moved to the Long Term Care in Moosomin closer to family and friends.
For two years, Bob faithfully visited Grace, despite his failing health.
Bob carefully timed his visits around her activities in the home and continued to drive himself to Moosomin to visit right up until his passing in December of 2013.
After Bob’s passing, Grace continued to adjust to life in Long Term Care and became very involved with all the activities that were offered. She especially enjoyed the musical entertainment and the crafting activities.
Grace also spent countless hours reading, writing and building puzzles. Grace formed some close bonds while in LTC with one of her greatest friendships being with her dear friend Henrietta whose passing left a huge void.
Grace is survived by her son Murray (Margaret) Swanston, and children, Nichelle and Dylan, daughter Lenore Etherington and her son Jordan (Meagan), daughter Helen (Warren) Hickie and children, Greer (Victoria) and Delaney, and son Ryan Swanston and his children, Vanessa (Tyrell), Emily and Katie.
She is also survived by her sister, Deane (Murray) Lewis, her brothers Bruce (Marion) McLeod, Arthur McLeod, Tom (Jeannette) McLeod, Don McLeod, and Richard McLeod, and sisters-in-law Delma McLeod, Darlene McLeod and Brenda McLeod; brothers-in-law, Donald (Jolayne) Swanston, Bruce Swanston, sister-in-law Ellen Swanston and brother-in-law Rod Lee, along with many nieces and nephews.
Grace was predeceased by her husband Bob; granddaughter Carmella Swanston; parents Isaac and Elsie McLeod; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Ruth McLeod, Alan and Genna McLeod, Albert McLeod, Jack McLeod, half sisters, Mary and Francis Hudek, Evelyn and Ivan Huzzey, and Hazel and Bill Kassien, sister in laws, Hilda Henderson, Mary McLeod, Linda McLeod and Shirley McLeod.
She was also predeceased by Bob’s parents, Basil and Jean Swanston, his brothers Ted and Herb Swanston, his sister Marg Lee, and sister-in-law Sharon Swanston and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service was held at Trinity United Church, Welwyn, Sask, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 2 pm with Rev. Barbara Wilkins officiating. Interment was in Welwyn Cemetery.
Memorial tributes may be made to Long Term Care, SEICC, Moosomin, S0G 3N0 or the Trinity United Church, Welwyn, SK, S0A 4L0 in memory of Grace.
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