Dolores Jean "Dee" Swanson's Obituary
Dolores Jean “Dee” Swanson, age 88, passed away peacefully at St. Ann’s in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born May 26, 1935, to John and Conjetta (Germinara) Foglio, in New Rochelle, NY. Dee graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1953, where she was voted homecoming queen amongst a graduating class of over 500 students. She then went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Michigan State College and then went back to school after the children were born to receive a Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University. While attending Michigan State College, she met the love of her life, Donald Swanson, and they were married on October 6, 1956. They would spend 67 wonderful years together and loved just being together, whether it was traveling the world or riding in the pickup exploring the fields.
Dee had a passion for education and spent over 40 years in the Ravenna Public Schools. She spent time as a teacher, reading specialist and used her experience and knowledge to mentor other teachers. Her legacy lives on for the students of Ravenna, with the establishment of the Dolores J. Swanson Scholarship Fund through the Muskegon Community Foundation. She was also a founding board member of the Ravenna Community Educational Fund and gave the initial gift to start the "Build A Fund". Dee loved to walk and cherished the time she spent with her walking partners. She was a devout Catholic and lived out her faith every day, inspiring those around her through her actions. Dee was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Dee will be dearly missed by her husband, Donald; children, John (Mary) Swanson, Dave (Janet) Swanson, Anne (Todd) Melin and Paul (Sue) Swanson; grandchildren, Katie (Ric) Hensley, Wes (Ryan) Swanson, Matt (Crystal) Swanson, Alex ( Sam) Moore, Eric (Sunni) Moore, Mitch (Gwen) Moore, Liz (Brian) McElroy, Eric Melin, Jake Melin, Samantha (Caleb) Stratton and Spencer Swanson; and great grandchildren, Ellie, Braelynn, Adde, Adrik, Tarynn, Nash, Sage, Harrison, Finley, Max, Isla and Walker. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Fr. John (Jack) Foglio.
A MEMORIAL MASS will be held Friday, May 17, 2024, at 11 AM at St. Catherine Catholic Church (12236 Heights Ravenna Road, Ravenna, MI 49451) with Fr. Andrew Ayers presiding. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the St. Catherines Parish Hall (3376 Thomas St., Ravenna, MI 49451) from 5-8 PM, with ROSARY SERVICE at 7:30 PM. In lieu of flowers to the family, please consider making a MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION to Emmanuel Hospice, St. Catherine Endowment Fund, or the Ravenna Community Educational Fund. Arrangements entrusted to The Ravenna Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services (3570 Thomas St., Ravenna, MI 49451). To share special memories with the family, please visit http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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