Neva Jean Swanson, 88, passed away at Highgate Senior Living (The Cottage) on October 22, 2013 in Bellingham, WA.

She was born October 31, 1924, in Sedro-Woolley, WA, the daughter of Lawrence & Edna Burns.  Her father worked for the US Forest Service near the Sauk River until he was transferred to Glacier, WA, in 1930.  Neva attended the Mt. Baker School system in Glacier and Deming until her junior year.  Her family then moved to Darrington, WA, where she graduated from Darrington High School in 1942.  In June, 1945, she married Maurice Swanson in Marysville, WA and lived in Darrington until 1957.  They moved to Sedro-Woolley where they raised their family, being married for 57 years, until Maurice’s death in 2002.  Maurice and Neva hosted numerous family get-togethers in their home during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays that everyone looked forward to.

Neva worked at Northern State Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, WA, as a psychiatric nurse from 1959 until 1973.  She graduated from Skagit Valley College as Licensed Practical Nurse in 1962.  She later graduated from the same college as a Registered Nurse.  

Neva enjoyed knitting, watching the Seattle Seahawks and working on family genealogy.  She took great pleasure from her grandchildren, they were the light of her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Maureen and her husband, Wes Haworth, of Bellingham; her son, Mike and his wife, Renee Swanson of Lyman; grandchildren, Kevin, and his wife, Jackie Haworth of Anacortes, Jennifer, and her husband, Jeff Bode, of Bellingham, Erich Swanson, of Seattle, Matthew and his wife, Lindsay Swanson, of Seattle, Kyle and his wife, Jenny Swanson, of Burlington, and Katheryn Swanson, attending Central Washington University, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Neva is preceded in death by her sister, Norma Edna Cook.

Neva loved her dogs over the years–Rick, Sunni and Buddy. The family suggests memorials to the Whatcom Humane Society,   2172 Division St, Bellingham, WA 98226.

Her family appreciates the attention and thoughtfulness of her caregivers at Orchard Park Assisted Living, Highgate Senior Living (The Cottage) and Whatcom Hospice.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00, Monday, October 28, 2013, at Union Cemetery.  A time of visitation will be available from 8:30 until 10:00 AM, at Lemley Chapel, before the procession to the cemetery.