Obituary of Betty Ellen SWANSON (nee McIelwain)

Betty Ellen Swanson, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

“Not one sparrow is forgotten, and we are so much more than sparrows to our heavenly Father,” to paraphrase Matthew 10:29-31 and one of Mom’s many favourite hymns, “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

Beloved Mother of Gillian, Julia, and Darrel (deceased), and also a very special Grandmother, Sister and Sister-in-law, Aunt and Great-Aunt, Cousin, Friend, and Neighbour, is reunited in heaven with many loved ones, and fully healed. She passed away in Calgary, so near the Rocky Mountains that beckoned her westward on that first move sixty years ago. 

Her love, faith, prayers, resilience and actions carried so many of us. She reached out to help so many people over the years, without regard to status or colour, some with medical needs, others struggling with addiction and recovery, some new to the country, and others with records and homeless.  She enjoyed us all, and with such an openness and faithful compassion!  She exhibited and shared an extraordinary grace, faith, humour, and dignity in dealing with so much, including her own losses and a lifetime with rheumatoid arthritis. In God’s loving kindness His mercies never end…. 

Mom was a long-standing member of Westview Baptist Church, and while family is separated not only by distance, but also by these Covid drenched times, family has decided to not make any participatory funeral or memorial plans at this time. 

If friends  and family so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Mustard Seed Street Ministry, 102 – 11 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 0X5 Telephone: (403) 269-1319, www.theseed.ca.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Betty’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Betty Swanson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.