Obituary of Elsie Sware
Elsie Mary Tomkin was born on January 14, 1931 in Edmonton, Alberta. She was the only child of Alice and George Tomkin – both of her parents were born in England. Elsie received her education at King Edward and Scona schools. Following her graduation she entered the RN program at the Misericordia Hospital, graduating with the “Class of 53B”. After a stint working in the OR and a trip to England in 1954, she married Keith Appleby and moved to Tofield in April of 1955. As a city girl, she had much to adapt to and learn about farm life – just one of the many challenges she tackled head-on during her life.
Elsie and Keith had four children, Robert, Heather, Donald, and Dale. After Keith’s sudden passing in January, 1968, Elsie stayed on the farm and began working at Freebury Clinic. After some careful matchmaking by friends during the selection of teams in the Tofield Curling Club’s Friendship Bonspiel, Elsie just happened to find herself on a team with Herbert Swaré. Elsie and Herb were married in June of 1970, and she became mother to his three children, Wade, Darrell and Debora. Together they had one daughter, Karen, born in 1971.
Elsie and Herb farmed near Spilstead and Tofield. After Herb retired from farming in 1998, they stayed on the farm near Tofield and Elsie kept busy with her artwork, baking, crafting, quilting and nurturing her beautiful yard – which included her own little orchard. Elsie was very active in her church and community. Somehow, she convinced Herb into taking several trips – they ventured across Canada and the US with friends and on their own. Family and friendships were of utmost importance to Elsie. Even at the age of 89 she decided that every great-grandchild needed a quilt – and 18 quilts were distributed last fall.
In January of 2013 Elsie and Herb made the move to an apartment in Tofield. Herb passed away in November of 2013 and Elsie moved across town to live at Sunshine Villa in 2016. While living at the Villa, Elsie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease – and she relied on her inner strength to keep as active as possible from that point on. In 2020, Elsie moved to Stettler and eventually made her last move to Points West Living in November of that year. Her tenacity, inner strength and her profound faith helped her through many struggles over the last two years. Elsie passed away peacefully on August 17, 2022.
Elsie is survived by her children: Wade (Linda), Darrell (Mary), Robert (Karen), Heather (Reed), Deb (Victor), Don (Syd), Dale (Waverly), and Karen (Tim); her grandchildren: Leann (Nathan), Josh (Ericka), Jess, Ben (Hilary), Jordyn, Sarah (Matt), Kevin (Jackie), Laura, Stephanie (Justin), Shauna (Craig), Bryn (Abby), Morgan (Autumn), Gavin, and Greyson; her great-grandchildren: Kayden, Erin, Nolan, Aurora, Freya, Ryder, Jackson, Adam, Clark, Jonah, Whitney, Sophie, Addison, Griffin, Luna, Joah, Lincoln, Evangeline and Saige. She is also survived by many special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Elsie was predeceased by her first husband, Keith Appleby; her parents, Alice and George; her beloved grandmother, Florrie Coxon; two grandsons, Adam and Steven.
Elsie left a legacy of love. She will be remembered for her smile, her ability to take on a challenge, her kindness. Her many quilts will keep us wrapped in her love for years to come.
A memorial service for Elsie will be held at Bardo Lutheran Church in Tofield (5609-48 St) on Tuesday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Peter Beckman officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Bardo Lutheran Church.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Elsie
Sware 1931 2022..
Death notice for the town of: TOFIELD, Province: Alberta