Geraldine May Swigart

Geraldine May Swigart, our red headed beautiful mother, left us on Mar. 7, 2011 at the age of 88 to be with Robert, the love of her life, on the dance floor of heaven. She was born on October 31, 1922 in Long Beach, California to Frank and Jennie (Carr) Jones. She was raised in California with seven siblings. After she graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School she met Robert at a dance. They were married in 1942 before Robert was deployed as a pilot overseas during WWII. They were together for 68 amazing years and lived in Southern California before moving to Bellingham in 2003 to be near their children. Geraldine and Robert worked hard and in turn lived the good life, raising their children in the midst of S. California beaches, camping in Big Sur, and taking early morning drives to Las Vegas. Robert would frequently take Geraldine out on the town: she, a lovely red head on his arm; he, a tall, dashing dark haired man. Wherever they went, many a head would turn to watch them high step it on the floor. They were often mistaken for entertainment stars Jayne Meadows and Steve Allen. In the early 1970's Geraldine had fun working in a fashionable boutique on the Princess Louise in San Pedro Harbor. She was also attracted to the unusual pursuit of 'Hand Analysis'. It was her hobby for more than 50 years and she accumulated a vast amount of information on anything to do with hands. She examined the hand as a whole and was an expert in determining health, career and personality traits. She loved people and it was one of her greatest pleasures to hold a person's hand and tell them things about themselves as it invariably led to lively discussions of ideas and adventures. A popular entertainer and lecturer at conventions, corporate and private parties, she was interviewed for many magazine and newspaper articles, did radio and TV appearances and worked at Magic Island in Newport Beach. Another hobby was telling jokes. She was still 'reading hands' and telling jokes in the last weeks of her long life. A sparkling personality with a zest for life, Geraldine was vivacious, beautiful, meticulous, charming and fun. She was a bundle of activity, insightful and affectionate to those who knew her well. In addition to dancing, she enjoyed playing cards, listening to music, reading horoscopes out loud, traveling, reading, walking, treasure hunting at thrift stores, having parties, and going out to dinner. The joy and brightness she brought to our lives will be with us always. Geraldine was preceded in death by her dear husband Robert, brothers Marshall and Shirley Jones, her sisters Goldie Stark and Gladys King; brother-in-law Paul Swigart and sister-in-law Hallie Buckley. She is missed by her loving children June (Dennis) Veith, Jilly Eddy (Marsha Kremen), Connie (Garry) Swigart-Harris and Doug (Jessie) Swigart Mason; grandchildren Robert (Eshinee) Veith, Lawrence (Suzanne) Veith, Daniel Swigart-Harris and Katharine Swigart-Harris; great-grandchildren Sammy, Ben and Lily Veith; sisters Virginia Kane, Vera Gillespie and brother Don Jones, sister-in law Edna Rocha and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to express special thanks to her caregivers Dawn Lunde and Paula Wehner. In lieu of flowers, you may direct your memorials to the Whatcom Hospice House or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 pm Friday, March 25, at Moles Funeral Chapel followed by a reception. You may also share memories with the family at: www.molesfuneralhomes.com Moles Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Bayview Chapel