SWETNAM, Mary Ellen

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Sunday, April 21, 2013 Mary Ellen Swetnam passed away peacefully with her husband at her side on April 8, 2013, after a brief battle with cancer. Mary was born February 7, 1943 in McAdam, New Brunswick, Canada to Eric Randall and Marguerite Hodgson. She was raised in Woodstock, New Brunswick and was crowned Miss New Brunswick 1961-62. She then attended nursing school at the Children’s Hospital of Halifax, Nova Scotia where she graduated as valedictorian in 1966. She worked as an RN in Woodstock prior to moving to southern California. There she met her husband Charles Swetnam working at a hospital in Bellflower, CA and was married in 1969. Mary continued her ICU nursing career while Charles finished his internship and residency. In that time their first son Derrick was born and the family settled in Flagstaff, AZ in 1974. In 1977, their second son Christopher was born. Mary was very active in the Flagstaff community through youth sports, youth organizations, NAU hockey, and PTA. She worked tirelessly to support her sons and their multitude of activities. She was an active supporter of the Flagstaff medical community as well. The one accomplishment she was most proud of was gaining her US Citizenship in 2005. Mary was a loving wife, devoted mother, doting grandmother, and dedicated friend. She had a strong zest for life and never hesitated to express a political opinion, or for that matter, her own personal opinion. She loved to dance and sing, and celebrated life often with a glass of chardonnay. Her family will always remember her strength in character, gentle and kind spirit. She was a mentor and a teacher, direct and to the point, generous, but above all, selfless and loving. Mary is preceded in death by her mother Marguerite and her father Eric. She is survived by her husband Chuck; two sisters, Gail (Leo) Campbell of Woodstock, New Brunswick and Judy (Bob) Crawford of Caribou, ME; two sons, Derrick (Deborah) Swetnam of Newport News, VA and Christopher (Sunshine) Swetnam of Fort Collins, CO; four grandchildren, Mackenzie, Matthew, Nellie, and Asa., as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make donations in memory of Mary Swetnam to the University of Arizona Medical Center at UMC Foundation, attn: Vivian Fellom, 655 East River Road, Tucson, AZ 85704. A celebration of life is planned on the afternoon of July 20th, 2013, in Flagstaff, AZ for family, extended family, and friends at the home of Wade and Carol McElwain. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.