Obituary for Barbara Ann Swanson
Barbara Ann Swanson, known as Barb, peacefully went to be with the Lord at age 82, on May 29th at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta.
Barb is predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Tom Swanson (2012), her mother, Rhona Duncan, her father, Thomas Duncan, as well as aunts and uncles on both sides of the family.
Barb, lovingly known as Mom, Gramma, Gma, and Grammy, will be remembered by her large and growing family. She is survived by her three daughters and three sons-in-law: Tammy & Dieter Dermann, Terry & Paul Kemp, and Tannis & Ed Claussen. Gramma is also survived by her five granddaughters: Kim Claussen, Esther Kemp, Katie (& Dave Mason), Emily (& Sam Steen), Andi Kemp, as well as great grandchild Rowan Steen, and step-great grandsons Adam and Jonas Mason-Robertson. She is also remembered by close family friend and “adopted” daughter, Patty Shaw.
Barb was born in Calgary, on June 13, 1938. Around six years old, she taught herself to read and was a voracious reader all her life, able to devour thick chapter books in just a day or two. After high school, she went on to Berean Bible college. Around this time, she met Tom at Pioneer Ranch Camp, and they were married August 13, 1960. Mom was busy raising three daughters, sewing and crafting and spending time with friends and extended family while Tom worked in carpentry and construction. She spent almost 30 years as an office manager for an architectural firm in Calgary, while Dad soon switched careers to become an incredible shop teacher. During this time, they lived in Kananaskis on a property fondly named “Still Waters” where they enjoyed canoeing and nature walks. They later retired and built their dream “farm home” in Sundre, Alberta, where they shared a love of birds, dogs, and playing games with the family, and where they stayed until Tom joined the Lord in 2012. She soon moved to Cochrane to be closer to several family members.
Barb’s faith in God was important to her, and she used her gifts of administration and music to help at her church. While teaching crafting and sharing her knowledge and faith at Sunday School and Bible Camp, she became affectionately known as “Owl.” She was a spunky original, determined to do things in her own way and in her own time. Her gift of sewing and craft is fondly remembered by her daughters, who wore wedding dresses handmade by Mom, and granddaughters, who not only wore a selection of “Christmas Dresses” throughout childhood, but also were given crocheted blankets to keep them cozy. Gramma also is very affectionately remembered as our “Geek Gma”, who shared a love of scifi, Star Tek, Doctor Who, fantasy, and dragons with her granddaughters.
Special thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at the Foothills Hospital, and to Barb’s daughters who provided invaluable care to Mom in one form or another for many years.
A Celebration of Life service will be held later this summer, when Covid restrictions have been lifted. Any memorial gifts may be made to the Sundre Hospital Futures.
Barb is predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Tom Swanson (2012), her mother, Rhona Duncan, her father, Thomas Duncan, as well as aunts and uncles on both sides of the family.
Barb, lovingly known as Mom, Gramma, Gma, and Grammy, will be remembered by her large and growing family. She is survived by her three daughters and three sons-in-law: Tammy & Dieter Dermann, Terry & Paul Kemp, and Tannis & Ed Claussen. Gramma is also survived by her five granddaughters: Kim Claussen, Esther Kemp, Katie (& Dave Mason), Emily (& Sam Steen), Andi Kemp, as well as great grandchild Rowan Steen, and step-great grandsons Adam and Jonas Mason-Robertson. She is also remembered by close family friend and “adopted” daughter, Patty Shaw.
Barb was born in Calgary, on June 13, 1938. Around six years old, she taught herself to read and was a voracious reader all her life, able to devour thick chapter books in just a day or two. After high school, she went on to Berean Bible college. Around this time, she met Tom at Pioneer Ranch Camp, and they were married August 13, 1960. Mom was busy raising three daughters, sewing and crafting and spending time with friends and extended family while Tom worked in carpentry and construction. She spent almost 30 years as an office manager for an architectural firm in Calgary, while Dad soon switched careers to become an incredible shop teacher. During this time, they lived in Kananaskis on a property fondly named “Still Waters” where they enjoyed canoeing and nature walks. They later retired and built their dream “farm home” in Sundre, Alberta, where they shared a love of birds, dogs, and playing games with the family, and where they stayed until Tom joined the Lord in 2012. She soon moved to Cochrane to be closer to several family members.
Barb’s faith in God was important to her, and she used her gifts of administration and music to help at her church. While teaching crafting and sharing her knowledge and faith at Sunday School and Bible Camp, she became affectionately known as “Owl.” She was a spunky original, determined to do things in her own way and in her own time. Her gift of sewing and craft is fondly remembered by her daughters, who wore wedding dresses handmade by Mom, and granddaughters, who not only wore a selection of “Christmas Dresses” throughout childhood, but also were given crocheted blankets to keep them cozy. Gramma also is very affectionately remembered as our “Geek Gma”, who shared a love of scifi, Star Tek, Doctor Who, fantasy, and dragons with her granddaughters.
Special thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at the Foothills Hospital, and to Barb’s daughters who provided invaluable care to Mom in one form or another for many years.
A Celebration of Life service will be held later this summer, when Covid restrictions have been lifted. Any memorial gifts may be made to the Sundre Hospital Futures.