Jean H. Swanson
Jean H. Swanson, nee Horn, age 83, beloved wife of Howard E. Swanson. Loving mother of Kristen (Andreas) Dimas and Ericka Swanson. Cherished grandmother of Nickolas, Sophia, Isabel, Alexandra, the late Daniel, Christos, and Fiona. Treasured daughter of the late Rev. Henry and Catherine (Stainken) Horn. Loving sister to the late Henry (Elizabeth) Horn, David (Rosalind) Horn, the late William (Lorraine) Horn, Charles (Rita) Horn, Marguerite (the late Tom) McFadden, Richard Horn, Eleanor (Johannes) Grotzky, Michael (Patricia) Horn, and Andrew (Martha) Horn. Loving aunt to Jennifer, Eric, Catherine, Rose, the late Christian, William, Rachel, Sarah, Kathleen, Michael, Heather, Ben, Daniel, Judy, David, Bart, the late Alexa, Juliana, Laura, and Claire. Friend to thousands.
Jean loved her family above all things. She was born in 1940 in Philadelphia to the Rev. Henry and Catherine Horn, the oldest of 10 children and a daddy’s girl. She was always looking out for her younger siblings, was often a target for mischievous plots concocted and executed by her younger brothers, and she learned very early on to be self-sufficient as she adjusted to their ever-growing family. Their family life was loud, filled with singing and music, exploratory adventures, and interesting family meals that stretched to magically feed many (often involving Spam) prepared by her mom. Jean’s father was a Lutheran minister and their family moved several times – from Philadelphia to Marion, Virginia, to Augusta, Georgia, finally settling in Cambridge, Massachusetts when Jean was 13.
Jean graduated from Cambridge High and Latin School and followed both her parents’ footsteps by attending Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. While in college, she worked as Unit Leader and Counselor during summers for Girl Scouts in Cambridge, and as a Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant at Cornell. Jean received her Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition and Master of Science in Foods with a Minor in Human Nutrition, from Cornell.
After graduation, Jean felt the call to be involved in the church and began her work as Lay Associate in Campus Ministry at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, Ohio. In 1966, Jean’s career brought her to the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago where she was Lay Associate in Campus Ministry at Augustana Lutheran Church, where she also attended services and sang in the choir. This is where she met her “Super Swede” and future husband, Howard Swanson. Over the course of the winter and infamous blizzard of 1967, Jean and Howard fell in love while slipping and sliding on the icy sidewalks of Hyde Park. They were married on September 2, 1967 at University Lutheran Church in Cambridge with Jean’s father officiating.
Jean and Howard moved to the Morgan Park neighborhood, where they welcomed their daughters Kristen in 1969 and Ericka in 1971. Jean was a loving and dynamic mom to her daughters and a second mom to many of the kids on the block and through the neighborhood. She opened her home, she looked out for everyone, and she enriched the lives of all those around her through her stories, interesting conversations, endless arts and crafts supplies for projects, her love of music through singing, playing piano, guitar, and violin, her amazing baking skills, her loud and cackling laughter, and Mother Earthy hugs.
Jean and Howard raised their girls to value and be accepting of others’ differences, to explore their curiosities, to follow their passions, and to revere family. Dinnertime at the table was a sacred time to connect, and when there was extended family, the lively conversations would last for many hours as everyone remained at the table. Like her own childhood, Jean made sure music was a constant in the Swanson home-insisting on lessons for the girls in their instruments of choice. Howard’s other career as a violinist brought in wonderful friendships for the Swanson family, and Jean helped to host chamber music gatherings in the home on a rotating basis or would bring the girls along when it was another family’s turn. Jean also enjoyed picking up the guitar or sitting at their piano to play and would often play violin duets at church services with Howard. Every opportunity was taken to learn. Vacations often were spent seeing important historical sites, but most of the time were meant to reconnect with Jean’s siblings far and wide, and their growing families.
Jean absolutely loved being a grandmother to her seven grandchildren and she and Howard were a constant presence in their lives. Jean made their home a magical place for the grandkids to explore the limits of their imagination, gave her full attention to their artistic expression and supported each individual grandchild’s unique interests. Jean herself, and her home as an extension of herself, were a sanctuary for them to be loved and accepted. She continued to pass along her unconditional love and support of family to her kids and grandkids and taught them all that making mistakes was an inevitable part of being human, and it was important to own and acknowledge them to others. The air was always clear with “Momma Jean”, and the conversations deep.
Jean believed strongly in giving service to others. She devoted years of tireless volunteerism through her involvement in many community organizations. Jean was active in Girl Scouts as a Troop Leader, Consultant, District Vice-Chairman and Service Unit Chairman. She was the Co-Chairman of the Local School Improvement Council at Morgan Park High School, where she was also elected as a Local School Council Member. She served at different times as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Morgan Park High School PTSA; as President, Vice-President, and Local School Improvement Council Chairman for Clissold Elementary School PTA; and as the Department of Education Coordinator for Chicago Region PTA
Jean also took part in the Beverly Hills Junior Women’s Club, Beverly Area Planning Association, Christian Family Movement, served as a confirmation instructor at Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, as a stage mom and seamstress for six years of Pitt Player productions at the Beverly Arts Center, and volunteered at endless school, community, and church events.
Jean credited her husband Howard with his strong support of her volunteer activities while supporting the family. When his company downsized, Jean rose to the occasion to help support her family financially. Her rich background in education led to her second career as the Coordinator of Parent and Community Outreach for Chicago Public Schools. In this position, Jean would travel throughout the neighborhoods of the city to promote involvement and advocacy for public school students, their parents, and families, and would write grants to help support the school system and her own position. Jean believed that every child deserved the choice and access to an excellent public education. The impact of the time she spent with these students and families, advocating for their needs, and empowering them with knowledge will be felt for years to come.
Jean and Howard sold the red house on Bell and moved in later years to Smith Village, where the community of residents and staff welcomed them with open arms. She enjoyed their regular dining crew, singing in the choir, serving on the dining committee, volunteering in the library, and cheering on Howard as he played in bean bag tournaments. She treasured the many friendships formed here, and most recently charmed the caring nurses and staff with her sweet smile, her stories, and her folk songs.
Jean always dedicated herself to her passions: her community, the education system, her faith and most of all her family. She had a wealth of knowledge and never stopped learning. Her family and friends will miss her intelligent conversations, her extraordinary stories, her warm enveloping hugs, her thoughtful advice, her listening ear, and her loving presence. May her memory be eternal.
Visitation at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 9401 S. Oakley Ave., Chicago IL 60643, on Saturday, August 26, 2023 beginning at 1:30pm with a Funeral Service to follow at 3:00pm. Interment private.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials to:
AVM Research Foundation
179 Windfair Loop
Montgomery, TX 77316.
Click Here To Donate Online
or
Lewy Body Dementia Association
912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Ste. 205
Lilburn, GA 30047
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August 26, 2023 – 3:00pm cst
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