ELIZABETH G. SWANSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ELIZABETH G. SWANSON

Elizabeth Garrett Swanson, née Elizabeth Scott Garrett, was born to Dr. Sherman and Mary Virginia Garrett on March 4, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. She passed away very peacefully on February 18, 2026 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN, with her sister, Vicky, and a close friend by her side.

Elizabeth (Liz) grew up in Champaign, Illinois, attended the University Laboratory High School, and continued her studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A lover of animals, she majored in Zoology. She joined Kappa Delta sorority, as had her mother. She graduated at age 19, and, planning to become a veterinarian, enrolled as a graduate student in Zoology. As a graduate assistant, she taught a class in Comparative Anatomy.

Love intervened, and in 1959 she married Richard (Dick) Allen Swanson, a PhD student in History. They moved into married student housing - the now-demolished Stadium Terrace - and started a family. In 1960 they welcomed their first child, their daughter, Cynthia Anne. In 1962 the family was completed when their son, Scott Allen, was born.

Liz and Dick loved playing duplicate bridge. It was truly one of their passions as a couple.

In 1964 the family moved to Winnipeg, Canada, where Dick joined the History faculty at the University of Manitoba. Liz started a business boarding dogs and cats, which developed into a dog-grooming business as well. Under the name Islandia Kennels, she bred and showed Shetland Sheepdogs, Samoyeds, and Belgian Tervurens.

Though Liz and Dick ultimately divorced, they maintained a very cordial relationship throughout their lives. With her second husband, Charles Lawrence "Larry" Tasker, she started a car towing business, which was much needed in snowy Winnipeg!

When Cynthia and Scott finished high school, Liz returned to Illinois; her children continued the family tradition, both graduating from UIUC in the mid-80s. Driving back from a family wedding in Florida, Liz researched local real estate ads. Tired of shoveling snow off her driveway, she decided on one more move, from Tuscola, Illinois to Athens, Georgia, where she remained for the last 40 years of her life.

Liz was predeceased by her parents and very recently her friend and caregiver, Wayne Smith. She leaves behind her two sisters, Virginia (James) Rovnyak and Victoria Garrett; her beloved children, Cynthia (David) Marshall and Scott Swanson; her grandchildren (Scott) Lachlann, Garrett, and twins Rory and Gwendolynn, who will miss their grandmother; nephews, Steven and David Rovnyak; and great-nephew and great-niece, Henry Rovnyak and Holly Rovnyak.

Liz would shop all year for creative Christmas presents for her family, and she loved to send cards on many holidays. She was an exceptionally talented bridge player; over the years she attended dozens - possibly hundreds - of tournaments, accumulating nearly 9,000 life-master points. She shared her enthusiasm generously, mentoring new players, young and old, and for decades shepherded bridge clubs in Athens.

Liz read constantly, especially science fiction. She passed on to her children her love of reading, science, and animals. To her regret, neither they nor her grandchildren became bridge players. Sorry, Mom!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local SPCA. Her ashes will be interred in the family plot in Urbana, Illinois at a later date, when her whole family can be present.

Liz was brilliant, caring, and fiercely independent - a trait she nurtured and encouraged in her children. She will be greatly missed by us all.

To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2026