Joan Adele Swaim's Obituary
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED BY 3 PM, MONDAY MARCH 19, 2018 TO PARSELL FUNERAL HOMES, GEORGETOWN, DE.
Joan Adele (Failing) Swaim, age 82 Georgetown, DE, passed away peacefully at her home on March 15, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was born on March 11, 1936 third child of the late Ralph B. and Dorothy E. Failing of Viola, DE.
Joan met the love of her life, Richard I. Swaim, of Tulsa OK, when she worked a civil service job at Dover Air Force Base after graduating from Caesar Rodney High School in 1954. They married on June 23, 1956. Together their adventures took them to Florida, Oklahoma, and finally settling for good back in Delaware. She worked a variety of jobs in bookkeeping, insurance, banking, and as a travel agent. Joan also worked for a while with her parents at the Greyhound Bus station in Dover. She was a talented seamstress, played the organ at Bethesda United Methodist Church near Stockley for several years, and loved to travel. As members of the Diamond State Twirlers, Dick and Joan enjoyed Square Dancing and the fellowship with many fun-loving club members. Joan was a proud mother to four daughters, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years Richard I Swaim and her siblings Barbara "Bobby" Brown, Delores McDaniel, and Carlton "Sonny" Failing. She is survived by four daughters, Cheryl Swaim of Ellendale and companion Jay Burton, Lisa Swaim-Parker of Magnolia and husband Christopher Parker, Karen Swaim of Bishopville, Md and companion Dan Bradfield, Nancy West of Georgetown and husband Richard; Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren: Chad Stump and fiancé Jaymie Horisk (Jordyn), Ashley West (Miranda and Paisley), Jamie Truitt and husband Brandon (Shania and Jax), Alan West and wife Shannon (Leilani and Lexingtin), and Jackson Parker. She is also survived by siblings Ruth Ellen Finch and Boyce Failing (with wife Rene) as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. Assisting her daughters provide round-the-clock care and companionship to Joan over the past few months was her devoted caregiver, Connie Payton. The loving care she provided Joan also was a great comfort to the girls.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford Street, Georgetown, DE 19947, where friends may call beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow the Services at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery, 25153 DuPont Boulevard, Georgetown, DE.
Flowers are welcomed, however memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, DE Valley chapter, PO BOX 625, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Please visit Joan's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
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