Enid Carole Swanson

Carole Swanson (nee Enid Carol Williams, Chicago, IL) passed away peacefully at her home in San Antonio on December 13, 2012 at the age of 87. A lifelong talented painter, lover of the arts and music, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, and devotee of the good life, she will be missed by her many loving descendants, countless friends (but especially Dr. Harold and Ruth Meador), and the community of the Alamo Heights Methodist Church. She is survived by her children—Jane Scarborough, Keith Swanson, Steve Swanson, Janet Biechlin, Roger Swanson, and Richard Swanson; grandchildren Brooke, Amy, Kyle, Chelsea, Layne, Justin, Cullen, Claire, Sarah and Fia; and eight great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bob, her parents, and granddaughter Ashley Biechlin.

Carole was the only child of Harry Croft Williams of Kentucky (of a pioneer American family) and Selma M. Schutz of Wisconsin (of a nineteenth century German immigrant family). She was raised in Chicago and Houston, where she met and wed a young naval aviation cadet from McAllen, Robert K. Swanson, in 1943. Theirs was a romance for the ages, beginning with a parent- and Navy-disapproving elopement, and ending in a partnership lasting more than 59 years. While raising their children, to whom they were more devoted than anything in the world, they lived in Houston, Pampa, San Antonio, and Campbell, CA, before returning to San Antonio in 1973 where Bob was the Director of Physics and Engineering at Southwest Research Institute until he retired. They loved to travel to visit their kids in California, and spent their summers at Lake Tahoe.

Carole’s art spanned most of her life, reflecting the many places, people and experiences from her own backyard as well as her travels. Always founded on her love of nature and people, her paintings represented a wide range of media, styles and subject matter. Through the exploration of new techniques and media, Carole attempted to develop an ever-evolving ability to express life around her—both the unusual and the ordinary—in new and fresh ways. She believed that as a person and an artist one should never stop exploring, learning and evolving, which has led to the diversity in her work. She always strived for the same spontaneous quality in her art that she believed characterizes everyday life. Her paintings have been shown extensively and won numerous awards. She is a past member of the San Antonio Water Color Group, Art League of San Antonio, Western Federation of Artists, Los Gatos Art Association, Society of Western Artists of San Francisco, and the Campbell Art Association. She has benefitted from instruction by many well-known painters and instructors, including Warren Hunter, Finis Collins, Robert Schimmel and Ivan McDougal.

A member of the Junior Assistance League, she also devoted much of her time to volunteering for a variety of charitable causes. She had a love for the Lord and attended several bible studies in past years and shared morning devotional time with her local children, Steve and Janet.

Carole’s giving, generous nature was felt by all those touched by her. It was especially, however, her unconditional love for family, her non-judgmental acceptance of the triumphs and foibles of loved ones, her ceaseless optimism, and her bright smile that we shall all miss.

A memorial service honoring Carole’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, January 7, 2013, in the Chapel at the Alamo Heights Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation are preferred.