Essie Millifera Swanson

Essie Mellifera Swanson (Pettengill/Brooks) passed away on April 9, 2017 at the age of 66. Essie was born February 2, 1951 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, the fifth of seven children of Janet Brule (Pettengill) and Paul Brooks. She spent her early childhood in Michigan and, as an adolescent, moved to Albany, New York with her mother and step-father, Robert Pettengill. She is survived by her daughter, Bree Martzke, and son-in-law, Aaron Martzke of Mountlake Terrace, WA. Essie is also survived by her brothers Kenneth Brooks of Dallas, TX; Greg Pettengill of Titusville, FL; and her sisters Sky Mitchell of Upshur County TX, Evelyn Larsen of Lauderdale Lakes, FL; Mary Peoples of Valencia, CA; Padmani Brown of Kailua, HI; step-sister Gail French of Anchorage, AK; and step-brothers David Pettengill of Raleigh, NC and John Pettengill of Blacksburg, VA. Essie was preceded in death by her mother, Janet Pettengill; step-father, Robert Pettengill; and her step-brother, Richard Pettengill. She received her B.S. degree in Biomedical Photography (1978) at the Rochester Institute of Technology and went on for her Master's degree in Physical Therapy at Duke University, graduating in 1983. While at RIT, she met and married David Swanson. They moved to Kirkland, WA in 1987 and she began work at Providence Medical Center as a physical therapist. She eventually went to work for a private practice and then in 2000 she opened her own private practice as a physical therapist. Her therapeutic skills were noted by her colleagues and she became well-known by local referring physicians as she excelled in her field. She not only rehabilitated her injured clients but also educated them as part of the healing process. One of the things Essie treasured most in life was her family. She met her husband, David, in 1978 and they were married on December 29, 1979. Her family was complete upon the birth of their daughter, Bree, in 1991. She found happiness in Bree's love of ballet and her higher educational goals in Speech-Language Pathology. Essie loved and cherished the times she traveled with Bree as part of Bree's ballet training and frequently sent pictures to the family of her beautiful daughter dancing. She was proudly looking forward to her daughter's graduation this June from the University of Washington and Bree's acceptance into the Master's program at the University of Washington. Essie developed a lifetime network of friends with whom she enjoyed many hikes and deep philosophical discussions. Essie relished woodworking and making beautiful wooden pieces for her friends. In addition, she loved badminton and participated in a local club that met weekly. She helped spearhead a neighborhood group of seniors that promoted the well-being of the neighborhood and community. She loved cats and volunteered with MEOW Cat Rescue and often fostered kittens (helping them heal and grow so they would be ready for their "forever homes"). Essie's lifelong dream was to travel around the world. Her love of travel, culture, art and museums filled her with passion and joy. Prior to her sudden passing, Essie had embarked on implementing this dream. Her tickets were ready and she would leave after Bree's graduation. Family and friends will bring this dream forward by scattering her ashes where their travels take them. As our beloved family patriarch, Uncle John D, so eloquently shared, "At 92 years of age I have lost many loved ones. I say – "I loved that they lived." Though the sudden passing of Essie has traumatized those who knew and loved her - dear sweet, Essie Mellifera (our honey bee), we loved that you lived. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Essie's name to MEOW Cat Rescue in Kirkland, WA. (website: http://www.meowcatrescue.org/) Memorial services will be held on Sunday, July 23, 2017 beginning at 4:00 PM at: Mountlake Terrace Community Senior Center 23000 Lakeview Drive Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 Phone: 425-672-2407 Email: [email protected]