Leta Swanson

Leta Swanson, neé Braucht, was born on June 13, 1962 in Wilmington, Delaware, to Roy Jacob "Jake" and Mildred (neé Webb) Braucht. The youngest of six, she grew up in Willow Run and attended Oak Grove Elementary, Conrad High, and Wilmington High.

Leta wore many hats, working at various jobs before starting her own home daycare where she watched over her nieces and nephews, as well as many other children over the years. In 1999, she returned to work outside the home when she became a custodian for New Castle County.

During her eleven years there, she spent time in their various sites, but her favorite remained the Rockwood Mansion and Museum, which is where she was working in 2008 when she fell ill with cancer.

Leta spent 55 weeks in the hospital, a harrowing journey that, at times, looked bleak, but her warrior spirit and just plain stubbornness helped her survive the ordeal. She also credits the many nurses and doctors of the, then, 6B ward at Christiana Hospital for her recovery.

In addition to her work history, Leta was very involved with her children's elementary school, Baltz. It is there that she met her most wonderful and excellent friend, Ed Tackett, as well as cherished friends Maria Santa Barbara and Erika Greigg.

Thanks to her friendship with Ed, Leta was afforded many life opportunities that would not otherwise have been afforded to her. She traveled the world; Hong Kong, Thailand, and Macau. She also saw much of the eastern United States, as well as visiting Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. She made many, many memories that she held dear.

Leta is preceded in death by her mother, Mildred, as well as her three older brothers, Timothy Braucht, Charles Braucht, and John Braucht. She is survived by her older sisters, Deborah Widdoes and Deidre Cox.

She also leaves behind her three children, Dan Swanson (Krissy), Kate Swanson, both of Newark, and Kody Swanson (Taryn), of Bear, as well as three beloved grandchildren, Abigail, Judah, and Violet.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 500 West Chestnut Hill Road in Newark at 11 o'clock in the morning, Tuesday, the 13th of May, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leta's honor to the American Cancer Society or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation