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Joan Adele (Failing) Swaim, loving matriarch

March 18, 2018

Joan Adele (Failing) Swaim, 82, Georgetown, passed away peacefully at her home Thursday, March 15, 2018, surrounded by her family. She was born March 11, 1936. third child of the late Ralph B. and Dorothy E. Failing of Viola.

Joan met the love of her life, Richard I. Swaim, of Tulsa, Okla., when she worked a civil service job at Dover Air Force Base after graduating from Caesar Rodney High School in 1954. They married June 23, 1956. Together their adventures took them to Florida, Oklahoma, and, finally, settling for good 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, and Nancy West of Georgetown and husband Richard; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Chad Stump and fiancée 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 René) as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

Assisting her daughters to 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 Tuesday, March 20, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford St., Georgetown, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery, 25153 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown.

Flowers are welcome, 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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