Jeannine Elodie Swanson

Jeannine Elodie Swanson, born on January 30, 1948, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025, at the age of 77. She was a beloved wife, devoted mother, proud grandmother, and a cherished resident of Gilbert, Arizona.

Jeannine is survived by her loving husband, Roger C. Swanson; her children, Scott Lawrence Swanson and April Joy Pina; and her adored grandchildren: Hayli, Rilynn, Jayden (In Heaven), Ashlyn, Skyler, Owen Swanson, and Sophia, Sam, and Oliver Pina.

Jeannine was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Raymond (Ray) Joseph Langlois and Theresa (Terry) Langlois. She grew up in a wood-frame home built by her father, alongside her brothers, Paul and George. Her early years were filled with the warmth of a close-knit family.

After Ray’s health declined due to his service in World War II, the family made the life-changing move to Mesa, Arizona, in hopes of better health and new opportunities. Theresa took a job at Motorola while Ray recovered. Though moving across the country was difficult, Jeannine faced it—as she faced everything in life—with optimism and determination. She quickly made friends and began taking, then teaching, dance classes, a passion that brought her great joy.

Jeannine attended Arizona State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education. While finishing her degree, she began working at the U.S. Post Office, where she would eventually become the Executive Assistant to the Postmaster of Tempe, Arizona—a role she held for 16 years until retiring due to health reasons.

A woman of many interests and talents, Jeannine even took flying lessons in 1973 and was working toward her pilot's license when she met and married Roger Swanson, the love of her life. Just five years into her marriage, Jeannine was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, leading to her first of what would become nine joint replacement surgeries. Despite the pain and challenges, Jeannine remained stoic, rarely letting her condition dim her vibrant spirit. She continued to travel across the country in her professional role, ensuring her team was always organized and prepared. With that, her priorities shifted—her heart was with family. Raising her children became her mission and her joy.

Though retired, Jeannine never stopped giving of herself. She volunteered with the Arizona Arthritis Foundation for over ten years, helped start a local adoption group with over 100 families involved, ran a Japanese foreign exchange program for over 10 years, substitute taught, and remained active in her children’s and grandchildren’s schools.

Throughout four homes, she eventually settled in Gilbert, Arizona, close to her children and grandchildren. In later years, she resumed traveling, reaching destinations such as Florida, Canada, Panama, and Hawaii. One special love with a cabin shared in Payson with two lifelong friends, Ron and Loretta Haught, for over 20 years.

Creative and full of life, Jeannine embraced hobbies like rubber stamping, scrapbooking, and later, ornament beading, creating beautiful keepsakes that will be treasured for years.

She was her children’s greatest supporter—always present for sports games, dance recitals, school events, and every big and small moment in between. She made sure they looked their best, had everything they needed, and always felt loved. She one upped her husband who taught her how to golf when she hit a whole in one as he watched and cheered her on. When she became a "Meme", it became her greatest joy. Holding her grandchildren, reading to them, playing games, and showering them with love and thoughtful gifts brought her the deepest happiness.

In her final days, Jeannine was surrounded by the love of her family, comforted by their presence as she was called home by the Lord.

May God bless Jeannine and restore her to full health in Heaven. Her legacy of strength, love, and selflessness lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

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