Obituary of Joyce S. Swanson

Joyce S. Swanson, 88, formerly of 22 Ohio St. Jamestown, passed away at 6:15 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015, in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. A lifelong area resident, she was born December 27, 1926, one of four daughters of the late Harry N. and Theresa Gold Sheldon. She was a 1944 graduate of Jamestown High School. She was a self-taught artist, with mentoring by the late Genoa Samuelson of Celoron, NY. After high school Joyce worked as a furniture decorator at the former Union National. Later she enjoyed teaching classes in china painting, oils and watercolors in her home studio for many years. In 1992 she began painting for Greenleaf/Grace Management in Spartanburg, SC. Company sales increased 300% immediately due to her art work. Envelopes are sold world-wide with seven of her original designs still in circulation. She was a life-long member of the Christ First United Methodist Church, and a member of the Chautauqua County China Painters, the Home Bureau and the West Ellicott Open. She enjoyed playing golf, cross country skiing, canoeing on the lake, fishing, sitting around the bonfire and spending time reading. She and her late husband of 60 years, William M. Swanson, owned a cottage in Magnolia on Chautauqua Lake and enjoyed a close group of friends on Gallup Lane. She loved her grandchildren coming to the lake for summer visits. Surviving are two sons, Dr. Tom (Jennifer) Swanson of Portsmouth, RI and children Hans and Vaughn Swanson, and their mother Margret Lee Swanson; William (Meri) Swanson of Jamestown and children Ben and Mandy Swanson; a daughter, Sue (Benton) Barker of Moore, SC and children Adam and Whit Barker; two sisters, Norma Sheldon Campbell of Phoenix, AZ, Caryl Sheldon Erickson of Bemus Point, NY, and her very special caregiver and dear friend Tess Courson, who was her lifeline in these final years. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband William M. Swanson whom she married September 12, 1950 and who died July 30, 2011 and a sister Dorothy Sheldon Chandler. She loved her children, grandchildren, friends and especially her chocolate lab, Sarah. Fond memories of Joyce will be in all of our hearts forever. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation and thanks to the staff of the Lutheran Home for their excellent care. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday, January 19, 2015, in Christ Chapel of the Lutheran Home. The Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, Chaplain will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Bemus Point Cemetery. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service in the chapel on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Jamestown Audubon Society, 1600 Riverside Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701.