Deborah Karen Clemensen Swaim

Hamptonville – Deborah Karen Clemensen Swaim, 74, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025 with her husband, sons, and daughters-in-law at her side, after a brief battle with leukemia. She was born in the Bronx, New York to the late Erik Rudolf and Kaethe Duin Clemensen. After moving to Virginia, she met her husband Dean. As a dedicated Navy wife, Deborah embraced the adventures and challenges of military life, making warm homes for her Navy family in Florida, California, Washington, D.C., Japan, and Rhode Island before eventually settling in Hamptonville, NC. She was a gifted painter and loved art in all forms. She was also known for her social, outgoing personality and dedication to volunteering with children, whether it be in schools or tutoring students at her home. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Maureen “Cookie” Jarvi and her brother Lars Erik Clemensen. She is survived by her husband, Captain Claude Dean Swaim, USN (ret.) and her sons, Dean Henry “Hank” (Tracy) Swaim and Commander Daniel Alexander (Emily) Swaim, USCG. Her memorial service will be held 3:00 PM Friday, December 19, 2025 at Gentry Family Chapel in Yadkinville. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. Memorials can be made to Leukemia Research Foundation, 191 Waukegan Road, Suite 105, Northfield, IL 60093 or to another cause that has meaning to you. Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Swaim family.