Annabelle Swanson

AnnaBelle K. Swanson NORFOLK - AnnaBelle Klein Trief Swanson, 83, died Friday, March 25, 2011. Mrs. Swanson was born in Newark, N.J., the daughter of the late Dora and Joseph Klein. She grew up with her loving family in Brooklyn, N.Y., where there was always music, laughter and noisy discussion. She was the youngest child, and truly missed her parents, her brothers Ben and Chuck and her sister Helen, all deceased. While still a high school student, Mrs. Swanson was awarded first place prize by the Lycée Francais, leading all French students in the city of New York. She graduated cum laude from Brooklyn College where she was awarded the French medal for excellence in foreign language. She was also honored by membership in Phi Beta Kappa. Mrs. Swanson was a teacher of French and English in the Norfolk public schools for 20 years and a teacher of French menu terminology and culture at Johnson and Wales University. Mrs. Swanson traveled extensively, taking more than a dozen trips to France. She maintained friendships with people in France, Spain, Italy, Russia and Israel. She continued her studies at Old Dominion University and elsewhere. She often said she could not imagine a time when she would not be taking courses and continuing to learn. Some of the happiest times of her life were when she went to classes with her sister Helen. Movies were also a passion for her, especially foreign films, and she could tell you the biography of every star and director of film. She was a member of Temple Israel, as well as many organizations for religious tolerance, animal welfare, and environmental causes. Survivors include her husband, Leo M. Swanson of Norfolk; a daughter, Madalyn Trief Kravitz and her husband Richard of Katonah, N.Y.; two granddaughters, Dora Elisabeth Kravitz and Alicia Rose Horwitz and her husband Maurice Horwitz of New York City; two stepsons, Timothy L. Swanson of Virginia Beach and Albert Z. Swanson of Wilmington, N.C.; a granddaughter by family extension, Sommer Brooke Swanson of Wilmington, N.C.; and many other extended family and friends. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel, with Rabbi Michael Panitz officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to ACT! For America, World Jewish Congress or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family through hdoliver.com.