F. Elise Swan

Elise Swan, long-time Gresham resident, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children on January 2, 2012.

Flora "Elsie" Bede was born in Eugene, Oregon on July 1, 1924 to Elbert and Olive (Smith) Bede. She was the only sibling born in a hospital. Her siblings were Ruth 19, Harold 15 and Beth 11.

Until age 11 Elise was raised in Cottage Grove where her father was editor and publisher of The Cottage Grove Sentinel. Elise spent her early years roaming the countryside on her bicycle, horseback riding, roller skating, enjoying girl scout activities and camping.

The ensuing years of her life, until 1951, were spent in NE Portland where her father continued his work in the newspaper and printing world.

Elise graduated from Rose City Park Grade School and Grant High School. While attending high school, Elise's social life included her membership in the YMCA Girls TUXIS Club.

She attended St. Helen's Hall Episcopal Junior College. Her first year there cost 156.95! She then attended The University of Oregon Extension School and Oregon State College. She graduated with a degree in home economics. In later years Elise took many classes at Mt. Hood Community College.

During high school, college and after graduation, Elise worked at Davidson's Bakery, an appliance store, a cannery, an ice house, Swan Island shipyards, Kline's Dress Ship, Nicholas Ungars Womens Dress Shop - as well as doing bookkeeping at Bond's Furniture Store and Emerick Construction.

At the conclusion of World War II, Elise married Stanley N. Swan in Portland on September 8, 1946.

In 1951 they bought a three acre farm in Gresham where they raised their family: Suzanne 1950, Laury 1952 and Judie 1956.

Elise became involved in leading Girl Scout and 4-H activities - especially camping, backpacking and participation in county and state fairs. Elise's "claim to fame" with these organizations was as "Swanny, The Gimp Lady!" Why if she had a nickel for every lanyard and key chain she started and stopped, she would have been rich! Many Girl Scout and 4-H group activities were hosted at the farm.

Life on the farm was enriched with the gathering of many animals: white rats, parakeets, chickens, dogs and cats. Raising dahlias was a hobby of Elise's. She was also quite skilled at trapping moles!

In March of 1960, just over 50 years ago, Elise joined The League Of Women Voters and maintained her membership for the rest of her life. She served as secretary, finance chair, voter' service chair, women's issues (equal rights amendment) - as well as children at risk, goverment studies and ultimately, president. Elise felt she inherited this interest in public affairs from her grandfather, Adam Bede, who served in congress in the early 1900's and her father Elbert, who served as Reader of The Oregon House Of Representatives.

Elise belonged to many other organizations including The Episcopal Church where she served as the "Eternal Cashier" for rummage sales as well as working in the church office one day a week. She worked with Eastco Diversified Services which was a learning experience facility for intellectually disabled adults.

Additional organizations: Grant High School Reunion Steering Committee, Gresham Historical Society, Institute For Managerial And Professional Women, Older Women's League (where she served as an intern in the Washington , D.C. office for a span of six weeks in May of 1991 and 1992), Oregon Women's Political Caucus, National Education Training Program State Advisory Committee For Health Issues, National Organization of Women and Women's Keys to the Future.

She served on several City of Gresham Committiees. Many of these obligations required conventions and retreat attendance which Elise enjoyed.

Various physical activities filled Elise's life: volleyball, jogging, swimming, skiing and her favorite, dancing, which she even taught. For intellectual stimulation Elise played "Jeopardy" and "Wheel Of Fortune" - as well as tackling The Daily Crossword, Jumble and Wonderword.

In 1974 Elise walked across the street to Mt. Hood Community College and was hired part-time to teach developmental education classes for the next few years.

Elise lobbied for human service issues for The Tri-County Community Council at the national, state and municipal levels of goverment. Two pieces of legislation for which she lobbied successfully put salad bars in Oregon schools and allowed a person 55 years of age or older to stay on the group health insurance policy of the spouse in the event of death, divorce of legal separation.

In 1982 Elise worked for Multnomah County Commissioner Earl Blumenaur. In 1986 and 1987 Elise took tax preparation classes at Mt. Hood Community College and proceeded to work in this field for a number of years. From 1989-1996 she organized estate and moving sales in Gresham and Portland.

Mt. Hood Community College offered very reasonable study abroad classes. Elise traveled to Europe in 1975, South America in 1976 and Japan and China in 1980. In 1983-84 she visited Suzanne in Australia. She visited Judie and Mark in Alaska during each of the four seasons.

For cultural enrichment Elise enjoyed The Shakespearean Festival in Ashland and The Jazz Festival in Gresham. Bridge was later reintroduced in her life by the organization of herself and three other women from her church. They played every Sunday afternoon.

Elise was preceeded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her daughters Suzanne - Australia, Laury - Portland and Judie and Mark -Anchorage, Alaska.

To honor Elise's memory, her children invite family and friends to join us on Sunday, January 8, between 1:00 and 5:00 pm at 850 NE Third Street, Gresham.

This obituary was written by Elise and edited by her daughters.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.