Jacqueline J. Swan

Jacqueline Vincent Swan, feminist, lover of chocolate and margaritas, ardent Gopher fan, and deeply loved wife, mother, and grandmother, died in St. Paul March 18, 2018. Born in Detroit, Michigan in the year women won the vote, she proudly cast her last presidential ballot for the country's first woman nominee. Jackie loved to read, followed all Minnesota sports teams, and did her crossword puzzles in ink. She was a glorious singer, starring in musical productions at the University of Minnesota, where she studied voice. Her dream of pursuing a career as a professional singer was thwarted by finances and World War II. From 1941-1944, she worked for the US Air Force in Ohio and California as a medical secretary. She married Arthur Swan in 1946 and raised a family, later working as executive secretary to the head of surgery and subsequently to the head of vascular surgery at the Mayo Clinic, retiring in 1985. Her organizational skills were extraordinary. Fiercely loyal and unwaveringly supportive of everyone she loved, she also respected and welcomed everyone who came her way. Her children's spouses all agree she was a model mother-in-law. Her grandchildren loved to vi...[more]

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her to talk and spoil their appetites with the always-offered cookies. She taught them what a truly strong woman looks like through every phase of her life. She lost her beloved husband, Art, in 1996, and also lost her parents, Thomas and Kitty Vincent, and her siblings Beatrice French and Edith Stilwell. She is survived by her children (and spouses) Kathleen Swan (Declan McCarroll), Cynthia Swan (Robert Gage), Thomas Swan (Katharine Swan) and Barbara Swan (Paul Stephenson) and by her grandchildren Jenna Swan, Alex Stephenson, Marisa Gage, Laura Swan, James Gage, Kyra Stephenson, Svetlana McCarroll Swan, and Rafael McCarroll Swan as well as her sister-in-law and nieces and nephews. Jackie's funeral will be held on March 26 at 11:00 am at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Rochester Minnesota; visitation one hour prior. Memorials requested to the Jacqueline Vincent Swan Music Scholarship, established at the University of Minnesota to help other music students achieve the dream she had to abandon, or to the Friends of the Rochester Public Library. Jackie's family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the staff at The Gardens, Episcopal Homes, for their loving and compassionate care. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com