Charlotte Ann Swain

Charlotte Ann “Charlie” Swain, age 80 of Laingsburg, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2020. She was born on January 26, 1940 to Leland “Pete” and Dorothy Taylor. Charlotte grew up in Lansing, attending Lansing Eastern High School. On February 8, 1958, she married Wallie Swain, who survives her. They raised four children in Laingsburg, where she was a stay-at-home mom and had her own daycare.

Charlotte was very involved in the lives of her family, acting as a Girl Scout leader, running the Laingsburg girls summer softball program and attending countless sporting events. She also worked for many years at Pine Hills Golf Course and was an integral part of the annual Pastors’ Golf Outing. Some of her most prized accomplishments were her beautiful yard and flower gardens; weeds feared her. Her yard was a source of pride, and she loved mowing…to perfection. She was an avid rock collector for her gardens, and was always on the lookout for a good, free rock pile. Charlotte was a great cook, canner, and baker, and passed the love of these onto her family. As a talented quilter, her family and friends (and some strangers!) are left with a tangible piece of Charlotte’s heart. Charlotte and Wallie enjoyed camping, and were particularly fond of the Petoskey area. She loved hosting during the holidays, and her Christmas tree(s) were so strategically covered in ornaments that the tree(s) disappeared. While being a mother was a happy time in Charlotte’s life, being a grandmother was true joy. She was blessed to be a daycare provider for several of her grandchildren, and was so proud of all of them. Charlotte had several friends who were dear to her heart and blessed her both throughout her life and in her final years.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Sandra, Darlene, and Mary; and her brother, Leland. She was also preceded in death by Wallie’s parents, Henry and Gladys Swain; brother-in-law, Gerald Swain; and a granddaughter, Jody Christy-Serviss.

In addition to her husband Wallie, Charlotte is survived by her children: John (Julie) Swain, Cathie (John) Allison, Jan (Dave) Hartman, and Sandra (Joe) Cwiakala. She is also survived by her grandchildren, John (Stephanie) Swain, Magan Swain, Josh (Stephanie) Swain, Jason (Angie) Schumaker, Jessica (Luke) McMasters, William Hartman, Laura (Nick) Tatu, Callie Cwiakala, Katie Cwiakala, Emilie Cwiakala, Douglas (Kathy) Christy and John Serviss; many great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as her sister, Shirley (Vic) Zischke, and her sisters-in-law, Lorraine (Joe) Ording and Echo Swain. Charlotte is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

At this time, there will be no service, but a celebration of life will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sparrow Hospital Harrison Mammography Endowment for breast cancer.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grlansing.com for the Swain family.