Obituary of Elizabeth S Swain

Betsy Swain passed unexpectedly though peacefully on Sunday, April 6th at the age of 77.

Betsy had a long and successful career working for the United States Golf Association, retiring as the Director of Championship Administration at 66. Oddly, she’d tell you she never actually liked golf, but she still watched the US Open every year.  In her retirement years, Betsy directed her intellect and curiosity toward learning as much as she could about as many things as she could and leaves behind a substantial library in her home, full of more books and magazine subscriptions than she could ever read. 

She gave freely and often to charity, and believed in protecting and looking out for those who felt most alone. She was politically engaged and was not shy to debate with friends and family when she felt advocacy was needed. She was at times fierce and formidable, though ultimately driven by a kind and too sensitive heart. For those that could embrace her contradictions she would do anything and was intensely generous. So many have stories of sharing an interest with her, only to receive dozens of gifts related to those interests at a next holiday or get together. Having once mentioned liking pizza, her son-in-law received a pizza pan, a pizza cookbook, a pizza apron and a pizza slicer for Christmas. She tried hard to keep in touch with those she liked and loved and was as invested in their life stories as her own. Her daughter, Rachael, knows more about you than you probably think. She loved the band, Queen. She was enamored of Freddie Mercury even more and in her last years was something of an expert on his life and musical contributions. 

She is survived by her daughter, Rachael Swain, her son-in-law Casey Odell, and her cat Gilda, all of whom loved her very much. She is predeceased by Rachael’s father and her best friend, Salvatore Spiritoso, and in the space beyond life, they are reunited and likely driving each other crazy, lovingly. It’s Rachael’s hope she meets Freddie up there too.

 
If you are inclined and able, her family kindly asks that you make a donation to the Elton John Aids Foundation in her memory, a cause she was particularly dedicated to.