Joan A. Swanson

Joan A. Swanson, 77, of Mishawaka, passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Joan was born December 28, 1933 in Winsted, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Reuben A. and Amy (Martinez) Swanson. At the age of three she moved with her family to South Bend. Joan graduated from Adams High School in 1952. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Holy Cross Central School of Nursing at Notre Dame.

Joan retired from Elkhart County Home Health Care. She worked as a nurse at various facilities including St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka and Healthwin and Ridgedale Nursing Homes in South Bend.

Joan settled in Mishawaka in 1970. She had also lived and worked in Melbourne, Florida and in Bear Lake, Michigan. In recent years she resided at Regency Place Nursing Home.

Joan enjoyed reading, traveling and doing volunteer work. She was a great cook and dearly loved her cats. She regularly attended Catholic Mass at the nursing home.

Joan is survived by a niece, Penny (Nick) Garcia of New Carlisle, and many dear friends whom she thought of as family.

Visitation will be held Monday from 6 - 7 pm in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka.

A Catholic Prayer Service will follow at 7 pm with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating.

Cremation will follow with burial in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County or Pet Refuge. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.