Obituary of Patricia Craigie Swanson

June 3, 1925 – Brandon, Manitoba
September 7, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Patricia Craigie Swanson of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at the age of 96 years.

Pat was born in Brandon, Manitoba on June 3, 1925, the second youngest child of 10 children born to Robert and Lizzie Craigie. Her older brother, James, died in infancy and her mother passed away when Pat was 5 years old.  Pat and her eight surviving siblings were raised by their father on a farm near Oak River, Manitoba.  After leaving school at age 15 to help support her family, Pat worked as a nanny until she joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corp in 1943 when she was 18 years old.  She was stationed at Red Deer, Alberta.  Pat was always proud of her military service and the fact that she was a Veteran of World War II.

Pat married Bert Swanson on June 29, 1945, and became a step-mother to Bert’s son, Glen Swanson.  She and Bert lived in Calgary, Alberta and had three children; her son, Wayne, who died at 15 months of age; her daughter, Jewel; and her daughter, Sharon. She was a homemaker until her youngest daughter left home.  

Pat highly valued education and, after her children were grown, wrote her General Education Diploma exams and trained to become a Certified Nursing Aid.  She successfully completed her final CNA exams and worked at the Children’s Hospital and Bethany Care Centre in Calgary for several years.  

Pat’s husband, Bert, died in 1984 after a difficult battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.  Pat never remarried, claiming that no one could ever replace Bert in her heart or her life. She was a book lover, baker extraordinaire, seamstress, knitter, children’s advocate, loving wife and mother, caregiver, animal lover, and fierce protector of her two daughters and their children.  She was a proud Veteran and belonged to the Royal Canadian Legion until she passed away.  

Pat was a loving and devoted mother to her daughters and welcomed her son-in-law, Greg Smith, into her family as “the son I always wished I had”.  She adored her grandchildren and took an active part in caring for them, especially when they were infants and pre-schoolers. In her later years, Pat welcomed her great-grandchildren with love.  

Pat lived a long and happy life and, although there were losses and grief along the way, her indomitable spirit and “feistiness” were apparent in all aspects of her life.  In later years her favorite saying was “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken”, a philosophy passed on to her by her father.  Pat will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those of us who knew and loved her.

Pat was predeceased by her son, Wayne Swanson; her husband, Bert Swanson; her step-son, Glen Swanson; her daughter, Sharon Swanson; her brothers and sisters-in-law James Craigie, Arthur Craigie, Don Craigie (Mary), Blair Craigie (Glenora), Ivan Craigie (Veronica and Madeline) and Angus Craigie (Marilyn); and her sisters and brothers-in-law Helen Cantelon (Bill), Florence Kiersgaard (Fred), and Wynn Belanger (Art).  

Pat is survived by her daughter, Jewel Swanson; her son-in-law, Greg Smith; her granddaughter, Melissa Smith (Matthew Frederiksen); her grandson, Devin Smith (Danielle); her granddaughter, Nadene Swanson; her great-granddaughter, Alexandra Frederiksen; her great-grandson, Dominic Smith; her great-granddaughter, Desiree Smith; her great-grandson, Nicholas Batt; and several nieces and nephews.

Pat has been cremated and a grave-side service will be held in October 2021, COVID-19 restrictions permitting.

If friends so desire memorial donations can be made to Vets’ Angels Calgary through Calgary Health Trust or to the Veterans Food Bank through Calgary Veterans Service Society.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Patricia Swanson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.