Genevieve Marie SWERHONE

1931 - 2021

GENEVIEVE MARIE SWERHONE (nee Miller) March 9, 1931 - November 18, 2021 It is with great sorrow that we announce the recent passing of our beloved mother, Genevieve Swerhone, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Predeceased by her loving husband Peter, her sister Mary MacDonald and her brother Cyril Miller. Gen leaves behind her children Lorna (Niels Giddins), Danielle, Michelle (Gerry Hagglund), Edward (Christine Finlay), and Patricia (Tami Waters) along with her three grandsons Daniel Hagglund, Jack and Nicholas Swerhone. She is survived by her brother Edward Miller (Jean) and sister Patricia Rauch (Ken). Gen was born in 1931 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan as the first born to Edward and Mary Miller (Becker). After her mother's passing in 1933, her father remarried and Gen and her sister Mary were lovingly raised by his second wife, Laurina (Duerr). As a caring and kindhearted young woman, Gen chose nursing as a career and graduated from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing as class valedictorian. In her early career she worked at several rural hospitals throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta. Our mother loved caring for patients and the highlights of her nursing career included working with newborns, polio survivors, and assisting on early surgical interventions to fuse spines. It was while working in Canora, Saskatchewan, that she met her future husband, Peter. They married in 1956 and lived briefly in North Battleford before establishing themselves in Winnipeg. Gen returned to nursing 20 years after being at home raising her five children, having bravely returned to school to upgrade her credentials and then taking a position at the Holy Family Nursing Home. Gen was a devout Catholic and a dedicated volunteer in her community in many capacities. Family was very important. Whether at home in Winnipeg or summers at the family cottage at Victoria Beach, she juggled the demands of Peter's career and five busy children while still managing to gather the entire family for nightly dinners. Together our parents travelled extensively, with Rome and in particular the Vatican a highlight of those trips. She was able to touch Stonehenge in England and kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland. An incredible cook, a true artisan with needlework and a passionate quilter, Gen was a patient and soft-spoken mother who loved her family. She was by nature profoundly shy but that is never to be confused with not having an opinion. She has left a hole in our hearts and our family shall continue to be guided by her even in her passing. Our family would like to thank all the caring staff at Brightwater Senior Living for the excellent care they provided Gen over the last few years. As per Gen's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.