It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a great lady, Leona MacSwan, our mom, on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at Chilliwack General Hospital.
Mom was born in Vancouver on August 3, 1913, where she lived a poor, but happy childhood. Her first job at 15 was at a soap factory where she met her future husband, Ken. Her teen years took her through the Great Depression and into adulthood when she married Ken on August 24,1939.
War was declared while on their honeymoon. Books could have been written of their adventures in the rough mining town of Zeballos where they spent their first years together. From there they moved to Kamloops where their first daughter, Naomi was born. Vancouver was soon to be their home again and eight years later, Vaila was born.
Mom was a natural musician, playing the piano beautifully by ear, without ever having lessons. Her busy life prevented her from enjoying her painting which was a great loss to us all. She was wonderfully talented.
Those who knew Mom loved her. She was always the consummate hostess, welcoming everyone with her warm and caring ways. She treasured her friends but was always happiest surrounded by her family, whom she loved deeply. Our memories of her are filled with laughter that will echo on forever in our hearts.
We would like to thank Dr. Hirst for his many years of caring for our mom, the home care ladies who made our lives so much easier, the wonderful nurses on the fifth floor who not only made mom’s last days comfortable, but helped us all with their care and understanding. And lastly, we would like to thank our wonderful family, whose strength and loved carried us through these difficult days.
Leona is survived by her loving daughters and their spouses, Naomi and Doug Gibson and Vaila and Chuck Charles; her wonderful grandchildren, Matt Gibson, Erin Gibson, Tiffany Dombowsky, Shelly Wojcik, Summer Munroe, Adam Charles and their spouses; her sweet great granddaughters, Sydney and Maya Dumbowsky, Ebony and Aurora Munroe, Madeline Wojcik and Harper Gibson. Also her many nieces and nephews and their families whose lives she touched so deeply.
A graveside service for family will be held at Valley View Memorial Gardens, 14644 72nd Ave. Surrey, on Monday, January 26, 2009 at 1:30 pm.
Pall bearers – all of whom were very dear to her – are: her loving son-in-law, Chuck Charles; her dear grandsons Matt Gibson and Adam Charles; her grandsons-in-law: Peter Dombowsky, Paul Wojcik and Dylan Munroe.
The family would love to welcome anyone who would like to join them in a celebration of mom’s life on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 2:00 at her home in Chilliwack. Good bye Mom.
Love you forever,
Like you for always.
As long as I’m living,
My Mother you’ll be.
Online condolences can be left at www.mem.com