Obituary of Mitzi Swanson

C. Mercedes "Mitzi" Ecklund Swanson, 78, of 29 Pardee Ave., Jamestown, passed away Sunday, (November 21, 2010) after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was the widow of George H.K. Swanson whom she married September 9, 1955 and who died on February 2, 2009. A lifelong area resident she was born November 6, 1932 in Jamestown, NY the daughter of the late Alf and Viola A. Danielson Ecklund. Mitzi was a 1950 graduate of Jamestown High School and a 1952 graduate of the former Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Before her retirement, she was employed for 25 years by the Jamestown Public Schools as a reading Teacher's Aide at C.V. Bush Elementary School. Previously she worked at the Lutheran Home for Children, Joliet, IL, as head matron of the girl's home, where she supervised the care of 21 girls. She also worked from her home as a professional seamstress for many years. A woman of immense faith, Mitzi loved her Lord and was actively involved in Church life from her youth. She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jamestown where she served at some time in nearly every capacity as a council and committee leader, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School superintendent, choir member, assisting minister, and Call Committee chairperson. She also served on the Upstate New York Synod Christian Education Resource Team for many years. In addition to her Church service, Mitzi was active in community affairs. She previously served as President of the Jamestown PTA and was a delegate to several state conventions. She also was a member of the Swedish Heritage Foundation and the Augustana Heritage Foundation. Mitzi was an avid gardener, expert baker, and was gifted with a fine soprano voice that she used in the Church for many years. A cancer survivor for nearly 12 years, Mitzi was an advocate and spokesperson for those battling cancer and its affects. Her unswerving witness to Jesus Christ is the hope and confidence that she shared with others. Surviving are her immediate family: three sons, Kevin G. Swanson of Frewsburg; The Rev. Mark E. Swanson (The Rev. Laura A. Csellak) of Center Valley, PA; Garth P. Swanson (Amy) of Stafford, NY; five grandsons, Stefan A. Swanson of Shippensburg, PA; Luke M. Swanson of Center Valley, PA; Anders G., Beckett G., and Cooper H. Swanson, of Stafford, NY; her brother, Curtis Ecklund of Jamestown; and her sister, Millicent Atkins of Rochester. The funeral will be held at10:30 a.m. Monday, November 29th, in the Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. John P. Saraka, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service on Monday in the church In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 556 E. Second St., Jamestown, NY 14701 or to C.U.R.E. Inc. c/o Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642.