Jean White Swanson

Jean White Swanson died at Hearthside in Sister Bay, Wisconsin on September 6, 2018. Jean was born at home in Chicago on Feb. 23, 1921. She grew up in Cicero, Illinois and graduated from Morton High School and Morton Junior College. She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in social work from George Williams College and the University of Chicago. Jean married Kermit Swanson in 1943. They lived in Berwyn,Illinois and Naperville, Illinois.

Jean worked for the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and volunteered for many community and social service organizations. Jean and Kermit retired to Ellison Bay in 1983. In Door County Jean led Great Books classes at The Clearing, was a docent at the Hardy Gallery and read to residents at Scandia’s assisted living facility. Jean was an avid gardener and created beautiful gardens wherever she lived. She moved to The Meadows at Scandia in 2006 and to Hearthside in 2017.

Jean is survived by her children John Swanson of Minneapolis, Judith Teicher of Sister Bay and Carl Swanson of Baileys Harbor; grand-daughters Rachael Swanson (Dan Smrz) of Fish Creek, Sarah Bergwin (Michael Bergwin) of Sister Bay; and great-grandchildren Leif Bergwin, Owen Bergwin and Zetta Bergwin.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sister Bay on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 at 2 pm. Memorial gifts are suggested to Scandia Ministry, Hearthside CCRF, Unity Hospice or The Clearing, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Jean’s family wishes to thank Martha Coventry and the staff at Hearthside for their loving, professional care.