Ernestine Swanson

1921 - 2016

Ernestine E. Swanson "Tene" was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 2nd after a valiant battle with cancer. She was born in Rincon, NM on 17 September 1921 to Ernest and Florence Taylor. As her father was employed by the railroad at the time of her birth and then at various mines in southwestern New Mexico she also lived in Florida (in a railroad caboose for a time!), Fierro, Hanover, Vanadium, and Bayard. She welcomed brothers Wilber, James and sister Viola during those times. Her father Ernest passed away in 1934. She was also preceded in death by her mother and step-father, her brothers and sister and her beloved daughter Carolyn in June.
Ernestine graduated from Hurley high school in 1939 and then moved to San Diego where she worked as beautician. She met J.F. Swanson, a Navy Pharmacist's Mate and they were married in June 1941. On July10,1944 their daughter Carolyn was born at Balboa Naval Hospital. The same year her mother married C.D. Cole, who became a beloved father and grandfather to not only Tene and Carolyn but also to all Tene's siblings and their offspring.
J.F. Swanson must have been changed by his war experience, as he became a different man than the one Tene had married. As the marriage ended she returned to Bayard in 1947 and became a member of the Bayard Church of Christ. She remained active in the church until her passing, attending faithfully in Bayard and at the Campbell Road Church of Christ in Garland, Texas after she relocated to Plano, Texas in 2011, to be near Carolyn and her husband Roger Nordmeyer.
She started working at the Texas New Mexico Power Company in 1950, becoming the district clerk and contributing as a reporter to the company newsletter "The Communicator" until her retirement in 1986. Always available to assist others she continued her volunteer efforts at Gila Regional Hospital, working in the gift store as a "Pink Lady". Tene was always active in her community, participating in the "North Loop Lunch Bunch" with her neighbors and good friends. She continued these good works in Texas, volunteering with Altrusa International and becoming their Volunteer of the Year for 2012. Her volunteer efforts were supported by the PNM Resources Foundation which contributed matching funds to the organizations she volunteered with. She was nominated several times for their Volunteer Excellence Award.
She is survived by so many friends and her son-law Roger. As well as her nephews and nieces; Ernie, Fred (Cyndi) and Eva Taylor; Yates (Mercy), Jack, Sylvia and Tim Folk. Who will always remember their loving aunt and her great enchiladas, fudge and date nut roll.
A Graveside Ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm on the 12th of November at Memory Lane Cemetery, Silver City, NM. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial donations be made to Altrusa International of Richardson Foundation, PO Box 832101 Richardson, TX 75083; to the Church of Christ, 2828 West Campbell Road, Garland TX 75082; to the Bayard Church of Christ, PO Box 1393, Bayard NM 88023; and to the Silver City Church of Christ, 1920 Little Walnut Road, Silver City NM 88062. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.