Peggy Swan

Although Peggy Swan accomplished so many things of which to be proud, she was a woman of great humility and grace whose attention was focused on loving those around her. She was highly independent with just the right amount of finesse mixed in, believing that everyone could accomplish their dreams as long as they were willing to give it their all. Life was not without times of great challenge for Peggy, but she was a courageous woman who embraced life’s greatest joys and deepest sorrows equally while lifting others up at the same time. With her family and friends held firmly in her heart, Peggy viewed the days she became a wife and mother to be the most significant days in her life. A true blessing in the lives of many, she will be deeply missed.

The 1930s were some of the darkest days our nation has ever seen due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression. Despite the hardship around them, the bustling family of Charles and Mytra Bell (Ames) Conner was delighted to welcome a healthy baby girl into their lives on July 20, 1933. Peggy Joan was the fourth of five children raised by her parents alongside her half-sister, Mildred, and her siblings, Betty, Sally, and Charles. Her parents both worked at Wilcox-Gay for a time, but her father later sold nuts and bolts from home. As a teen Peggy lived with her sisters and worked at a few local restaurants.

Life was forever changed for Peggy when she met the man with whom she would establish the family she adored. His name was Robert Swan, and they met at Wilcox-Gay in Charlotte, Michigan, where Bob worked as a supervisor and Peggy, just recently out of high school, was employed as a line girl. They married June 1, 1952, in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Sally, and her groom, Curt, in Olivet. Although they never would have planned to have five children, Peggy and Bob were truly blessed with five girls, Karen Adele, Catherine Marie, Connie Joan, Debra Kay, and Sandra Elaine.

When her husband decided to start his own business, Peggy came alongside him as his biggest supporter. Because resources were limited while he was getting started Peggy masterfully learned how to stretch the family dollar like never before. The family later moved to Traverse City in 1970 when Bob became the general manager at Fairchild World Magnetics.

Peggy and her girls were given a tough pill to swallow with Bob’s death in 1973. A resourceful and independent woman, she worked at Traverse City State Bank while her girls were in school during the day. Although these years were a struggle at first, Peggy did what needed to be done. After a couple of years she received her associate’s degree in accounting from Northwestern Michigan College.

As her friends and family can attest Peggy never did anything halfway. She was an extraordinary Girl Scout leader for her three oldest girls who went over and above to make the experience come alive for her troop while providing a timeless education as well. As their leader Peggy designed and offered her girls to create the Eaton County Michigan flag, which still flies over the courthouse today.

In any way she could Peggy was always looking to help others. When her sister, Sally, was severely injured in a car accident she and Bob took one of her sons into their home for nearly a year, treating him as one of their own as he was even subject to rewards and punishments. Each year she also volunteered as the recreation director for the local Congregational Church’s vacation Bible school program. Her work there was extensive, but it was work Peggy loved as she felt there was nothing more important than shaping young people.

As a die-hard Republican, Peggy was active in the local Republican organization in Traverse City. She ran for office several times and became an elected delegate for the Michigan Republican State Convention that swept Ronald Reagan into the presidency in 1980. Although she was invited to the White House ball that year she didn’t attend – not really believing that she actually received an invitation! Peggy was a member of the Republican Party for many years, serving as a delegate and as an alternate at several state conventions.

Throughout her life Peggy was known for her generosity and her drive to make the world a better place. When asked if she would donate a tree to be put in a town square in New Orleans, she was more than willing. Peggy then received an all expense paid trip there where she was honored to stand with Carol Channing at the dedication ceremony.

A woman of many interests, Peggy was always doing something. She loved oil painting, writing, photography, golf, bowling, eating healthy, and exercising. In fact, Peggy’s mission in life was on healthy living, both in her own life and in the lives of her husband and children. She was on the leading edge of embracing the advantages of protein and fiber as part of a healthy diet during the fifties and sixties, long before being healthy was a trend. Peggy was involved in numerous clubs and organizations including the Red Hat Society, Widows Club, and Kingsley Retirees Organization. She also attended monthly town hall meetings and lunches at The Rock for as long as she was able. Additionally, Peggy was on bowling and golf leagues and a member of the Logan Racquet Club.

Peggy Swan will be remembered as a free thinker, a passionate activist, and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, but perhaps she will be remembered most as a woman who could motivate a group to be a voice for themselves. She was a feisty, no-nonsense woman, yet her words were always laced with respect and kindness. Peggy’s memory will be forever cherished.

Peggy Joan Swan died on June 2, 2012. Peggy’s family includes her sister, Mildred Stimer of Grand Ledge MI; five daughters, Karen (Jon) Armon of Denver, CO, Catherine (Bruce) Werts of Lake Ann, MI, Connie (Charles) Collett of Williamsburg, MI, Deb (Gregory) Nickerson of Kingsley, MI, Sandra (Timothy) Truelove of Holt, MI; 10 grandchildren, Cary Walter-Alvord, Chad Paton, Kristen McCurry, Michael, Laura and Sara Nickerson, Nathan, Caitlin, Mitchell and Colleen Truelove; 4 great grandchildren Calob, Alexis, Rachel and Perrin Walter; and two “adopted sisters,” Donna Martin and Margaret Lewis. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Swan; two sisters, Sally Jean Curtis and Betty Jane Gibbs; and a brother, Charles Conner Jr., as well as her parents. A Celebration of Peggy’s life will be held on June 13th at The Rock of Kingsley starting at 11:00 a.m., with visiting to begin at 10:30 a.m.. A luncheon will be served following the service at The Rock. Cremation has taken place and Peggy will rest next to her beloved husband in the Windsor Township Cemetery, Diamondale, with a graveside service Thursday, June 14th at 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to The Rock, 115 E. Blair St, Kingsley, MI 49649. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign the guestbook or leave a memory. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City to handle the services.