Elizabeth ""Bunny"" Swanson

SWANSON, Elizabeth Eppele, “Bunny”, age 81, died July 5, 2015. She was born on June 5, 1934 in Jacksonville, FL and moved to Brooksville in 1935. She was one of the original Weeki Wachee mermaids,  starting in 1947.  She graduated from Hernando High in 1951 and earned her BS degree from the University of Florida in 1955, her MS from Florida State in 1970 and her Ed.S from Valdosta State in 1989. She taught across five decades in public schools in Hernando, Brevard, Alachua and Leon counties, Florida and also in Chatham and Mitchell counties in Georgia. She retired from teaching in 1995 and returned to Gainesville where she enjoyed being involved with her grandchildren’s scholastic and sports activities. She served for several years as a precinct deputy and was active in Red Hat activities as well as the Florida Retired Educators Association.  Predeceased by her parents: A.S. and Blanche Morey Eppele, 3 brothers and a sister, she is survived by sons: J. Robert Swanson of Jacksonville, FL;  F. Alden Swanson (Chris) of Marietta, GA; Stephen M. Swanson (Sally) of Gainesville, FL; sister: Margaret Younger of San Marcos, TX; granddaughters: Lindsey Rolls (Ryan) of Woodstock, GA; Aimee Swanson of Marietta, GA; Sydney Swanson of Indianapolis, IN; Skylar Swanson of Gainesville, FL; 2 great-grandchildren.  A memorial service will be held at 10am, Saturday August 8, 2015 at Merritt Funeral Home, Brooksville Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the Leon-Wakulla Retired Educators Association-Bunny Swanson Memorial, 1407 Devil’s Dip, Tallahassee, FL 32308 to fund scholarships for students entering the teaching profession.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE CHAPEL

(352) 796-6699

www.merrittfuneral.com