Constance Swails Thibodeau

Born on December 28, 1944, in Andrews, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late William Taylor Swails and Mary Rose Swails.

Constance was a poet, writer, and avid gardener. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing and served as a nursing instructor. Throughout her life, she was dedicated to caring for others—as an Army veteran, addictions counselor, and Boy Scouts of America Explorer Leader. In her free time, she enjoyed crafting and cross-stitching. Above all, Constance was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose nurturing spirit touched all who knew her.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Peter Allan Thibodeau; her children, Matthew Aaron Thibodeau and Heather T. Brownlee (Travis); her grandchildren, Kenadie Saylors (Casey), Poppy Brownlee , and Mattie Brownlee; and her great-grandchild, Taytum Saylors. Additionally, she is survived by her brothers, William Taylor Swails III and Steve Swails; and sister Carolyn Gamble.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Frankie Rose “Sally” Tisdale.

A graveside service will be held on March 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2410 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, South Carolina 29671.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial donations may be made in Constance’s honor to tpusa.com.

Eulogy on behalf of Constance's husband, Peter:

Thank you everybody for your condolences, thoughts, and prayers. I love all of you. Be comforted, she is with her Daddy now. We were together fifty nine and a half years. She is the love of my life, my soul mate, and always will be with me. My respect and admiration for her is profound.

She was a Psychiatric Nurse Educator, Army Veteran, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who was the anchor of our family. Also, she was an addictions counselor, and a published poet-author who earned a BSN and MSN during our years together. She was a Boy Scout Explorer leader who earned the Wood Badge (Fox patrol), a devout Christian, and Bible reader.

She consistently exhibited moral courage, patience, devotion and was a forgiving soul. Her anchor was the Black River near Andrew’s, South Carolina. At home her retreat was her La-Z-Boy recliner on the back porch where she watched birds and squirrels in the backyard woods, and would think, journal, write poetry, read and nap. She enjoyed family camping, macramé, jewelry making and cross stitch among her varied crafting interests, and enjoyed participating in native American powwows with a particular fascination with the Cherokee and Sioux cultures. She loved gospel, country-western music and Adele. Her favorite movies were the musical “Burlesque” which she watched numerous times, and “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”.

She was a beautiful fascinating companion and I miss her touch, smell, and the sound of her voice. Now, for the moment, I have run out of words. Thank you.