Margaret Eleanor Swaine

Margaret Eleanor McCartney Swaine passed into her new life with Jesus November 22, 2011. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa on September 17, 1915 at home with her father, Dr. W.H. McCartney delivering her. Her mother, Edith, had her first daughter after two boys. Margaret grew up loving to play tennis at the court across the street from her house. She graduated from North High School in Des Moines and went on to secretarial school. Margaret met Dick Swaine through church activities and they were married Oct. 8, 1937. They had three daughters; Carolyn, Janet and Susan and one son, James, Jr. The family moved to Moline, IL in 1943 and settled there enjoying neighbors and friends. They were active in the United Methodist Church and enjoyed playing bridge with several couples. Mom went to work at a jr. high school as a secretary in the early 60's and enjoyed her job until she retired at 62. She loved sports, playing volleyball as a young mother, following the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, and many professional tennis players. Margaret and Dick spent many years of retirement traveling in their motor home around the US and Canada. They took up bicycling after retirement and spent winters in Florida. Margaret was (as her daughters called her) a card shark. She loved to play double solitaire with her friends and grandchildren. She played cards throughout her life and enjoyed them even in her 90's. She loved reading and later listening to books on tape. She spent many great times with her grandchildren as well. When she was 81, she and Dick moved to Bonners Ferry, ID in 1996 and built a home near their daughter, Janet. She and Dick celebrated 68 years of marriage. They attended Springs of Living Water Free Methodist Church. Dick died in 2006. Margaret loved her home and was able to stay there until her death, thanks to many loving care givers who made that possible. She felt very blessed by those ladies and had many good times with them. She is survived by all her children; Carolyn Harrison and husband Terry, Janet Allen and husband Red, Susan Bousson and husband Stan, and James, Jr. and wife Sandy; 6 grandchildren, Janet Dektar and husband John, Karin Salzgeber, Jenny Rieger and husband Gary, Greg Fast, husband of Heide Swaine(deceased), Kelly Nelson and husband Eric, Christian Allen, Karl Allen and wife Tina, and 8 great-grandchildren. Margaret is also survived by her sister, Betty Liggett and husband Jack. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dick, a beloved granddaughter, Heide, two brothers and her parents. Her family will have a gathering next summer to celebrate her life. Family and friends are invited to sign Margaret's book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.