Margaret Joyce Swain

1935 - 2016

Swain, Margaret Joyce (Joyce) passed away on June 18, 2016, in Ormond Beach, FL, surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held in her honor at 10 am on Saturday, July 16, 2016, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka Vineland Rd. in Orlando, FL. Joyce was born on April 20, 1935, in Miami, FL, the youngest of five children to Neuman E. and Kate Thompson McVey. She graduated from Edison High School in Miami and soon afterwards married the love of her life, Thomas Ellison Swain. She has sorely missed Tom since his untimely passing in 1985. Her last request of her children and grandchildren was that they not let their grief supersede her great joy at being reunited with him. Tom completed his enlistment in the U.S. Navy, graduated from the University of Miami and then began a lifelong career with Sears & Roebuck. They were called upon to relocate many times during their life together and Joyce was unwavering in her support for these many moves. She loved to quote Ruth 1:16 which states in part, "Whither thou goest, I will go". She put on a smile, called the movers, packed up the children and pets and off they went. Some of their favorite places to live were Atlanta, GA; Mobile, AL; St. Petersburg, Windermere, and Daytona Beach. Joyce was adept at setting up a new household and creating a warm and loving home for her family within a matter of days of relocating. She embraced each move and immersed herself in each new locale. She was heavily involved in community causes and her children's activities everywhere they lived. She was a PTA member and volunteer at each school her children attended. She was president of the Seabreeze Jr. High PTA and Ormond Beach Woman's Club. Joyce was a founding member of the Central Florida Woman's League and sustaining member of the West Orange Junior Service League. She was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church where she joyfully served as a wedding assistant. She also gave of her time and resources to other church, charitable, civic and cultural organizations throughout her life. Tom and Joyce loved all activities having to do with water and shared this love with their children. They enjoyed boating, fishing, diving, canoeing and water skiing. Joyce also loved to travel. Highlights of her adventures included an African safari, voyages through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic Ocean, visits to many European countries as well as trips throughout the U.S. Joyce was predeceased by her parents; her beloved husband, Tom; her sisters, Ada Lees and Iris Taylor; and her brothers, William McVey and Glen McVey. She is survived by her daughter, Carlyn Caye Swain; sons Scott McVey Swain (Susan) and Gary Thomas Swain (Laura); grandsons David, Daniel, and Douglas Pierce, Andrew and Mark Swain, and Thomas Swain; several nieces and a nephew. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ponce de Leon Lighthouse Preservation Association , Halifax Health- Hospice, or St. Luke's United Methodist Church.