1924 ~ Heather Mary Swainson ~ 2026 "Mom really had a good life. She was a remarkable, thoughtful, beautiful woman with a smile and a laugh that will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Mom and may those of us left behind aspire to keep up with your high standards, values, and strong character! A Memorial Service for Heather was held at Knox Presbyterian Church, 4718 Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 1:30 p.m."

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful mother, Heather Mary Swainson, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at the age of 102 years.

Mom was born on June 24, 1924 in Red Deer, to Ralph and Elsie Steele. She spent her early years in the Willowdale area and the Isle of Man. As Mom reached school age, her family returned to the Willowdale area where she lived until she moved into Red Deer. She married our dad, Richard (Dick) Swainson on July 9th, 1949. They lived in Sylvan Lake and then Red Deer and had five children: Greg, Ken, Devon, Susan and Roger.

Mom was predeceased by our dad, Dick, in 1965. She was also predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Elsie Steele, her sister Mona (Bob) Cruickshank, and brothers Irving (Carol) and Eric Steele. Mom was predeceased by her in-laws Struna and Swain Swainson and many of Dick’s family and siblings, as well as her great-grand daughter Avery Cameron and former daughter-in-law Judy McKinney.

Mom leaves to mourn her 5 children: Greg (Joan), Ken (Diane), Devon (Leona), Susan, and Roger (Mary). Mom was always known as Nannie to her Grandchildren: Erin (Brett), Kent, Elizabeth (Gary), Anthony, Jennifer, Jillian, Denver (Sara), Renay, Corey (Sara), Megan (Mark), Natalie (Luan), Graeme (Quinne) and Great-Grandchildren: Annika, Hailey, Will, Sarah, Brad (Ashley), Emily and Eva, Myles and Ellery, Madison, Lucas, and Ethan, Olivia, Jaden, Emma, and Abby and great-great grandson Beau.

Mom also leaves to mourn her sister-in-law Katie Steele and dad’s siblings, sisters Pearl Nelson, Winn Thompson and brother Jack (Jacquie) Swainson and good family friends Jack and Gail Dzaman.

Mom was a very strong and determined woman, successfully raising 5 children by herself after our Dad passed away suddenly at a young age. She also had a long and successful career as a sales clerk at Eaton’s and the Co-Op.

Mom loved gardening and really enjoyed people. She was always interested in everyone, especially loving her family and being so keen to learn of the activities in which they were involved. Her family was her whole life. Many of us were not part of her daily life, and she still knew what everyone was doing. She will be greatly missed.

At this time Greg, Ken, Devon, Roger would like to acknowledge the special friendship and bond between Susan and Mom. They were best of friends! Through Susan’s constant care and attention, Mom’s quality of life was always a primary concern.

Thank you Susan!

Mom really had a good life. She was a remarkable, thoughtful, beautiful woman with a smile and a laugh that will never be forgotten.

Rest in Peace Mom and may those of us left behind aspire to keep up with your high standards, values, and strong character!

A Memorial Service for Heather was held at Knox Presbyterian Church, 4718 Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com.