Helen U. Swanson, 90, of Clearwater, passed away peacefully on August 23rd. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Leonard, who passed away on June 29, 2009. Survived by her three loving children; daughters Diane Donlin of Clearwater, Florida; Lynne (Gary) Jacques of Hemlock, Michigan; and son Leonard (Ruby) Swanson of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She had 4 grandchildren, Carl Swanson, Paul Swanson, Cheryl (Sean) Hagerty and Adam (Lauren) Bremer, and 1 great-granddaughter, Alexis Hagerty. She is also survived by her dear sister, Elisabeth Conrath of Waukesha, Wisconsin. She had numerous nieces and nephews but was particularly close to Elisabeth’s children Jutta (Paul) Leiske, Carol-Anne (Art) Wallner and Eric (Sandy) Conrath, who will miss their dear “Aunt Uschi”.
Helen was born in Haldensleben, Germany and grew up in Berlin, where she lived during World War II. She immigrated to the United States in 1948, but was always a “Berlinerin” at heart and enjoyed taking trips back to her home town. She settled in Wisconsin where she met and married her husband Leonard. After several moves, they settled in the Detroit area where the family lived for many years. Helen and Leonard retired to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1989.
Helen enjoyed raising her three children and was a wonderful mother. She introduced them to great music and attended most of their concerts even into their adulthood. She was also a big Detroit Tiger baseball fan and attended many games over years. After moving to Florida, she enjoyed being able to get together regularly with her sister for frequent dinner and movie outings. She also loved to travel, and had many wonderful trips with both her daughter Diane and her sister Elisabeth.
In 1996, Helen compiled her memoirs of growing up in Germany and her experiences during and after the war, which her family cherishes. It seems appropriate to include her own words as she wrote about her life:
“I am looking back on my life here with a happy and grateful heart. Nowhere in the world has anybody been blessed with better children and grandchildren. Dad and I both will always be extremely proud, and of the wonderful families they are raising. Though I never quite completely integrated myself in the American way of life as I came to this country in full adulthood, I found a great deal of happiness in my marriage. I asked very little of life as regards wealth or possessions, having lived through a time where I lost everything I ever owned and with what speed and ease it could happen again. I concentrated on the joys I could get out of life that made me happy and content.”
Helen spent her last days at the beautiful and peaceful Brookside Hospice House with her daughter Diane by her side. The family is grateful for the caring staff there who always made sure she was comfortable and not in pain.
Donations in her memory may be made to Suncoast Hospice (www.thehospice.org).
No one could have asked for a better mother, I will miss her very much. She always saw the best in people and I am thankful for her guidance and support both growing up and in my adulthood. I cherish the many wonderful memories.
My aunt was one of the most important people in my life. I loved her dearly for her patience, love, caring, free spirit, gentle ways and her wonderful laugh and smile. She was a shelter from the storm for me in many ways and I will miss her very much. Auf wiedersehen, meine liebe Tante Uschi.
Our Mom was a wonderful person and a great mother to us. We had her unconditional love and support. She was always up for a trip, movie or ball game. I am thankful for seeing her just last May and for the time I was able to spend with her during her last years. It has been a blessing to have such a caring family.
Our Mom was a wonderful person and a great mother to us. We had her unconditional love and support. She was always up for a trip, movie or ball game. I am thankful for seeing her just last May and for the time I was able to spend with her during her last years. It has been a blessing to have such a caring family.
I am Helen and Bud’s niece (daughter of Margaret, who passed away about 14 years ago). My condolences to Diane, Lynn, Len and their families. Even though I didn’t get to see Uncle Bud & Aunt Helen much because of distance, they were always spoken of affectionately by our parents. Your mom was lucky to have such loving children.