Shiela J Swan

Shiela Jean Reed Swan, born in Clarksburg, July 11, 1952, died peacefully in her sleep, September 5, 2022, at OPIS Coquina Nursing Center, Ormond Beach, FL, at age 70. She is survived by a son, Jack Harold Woody, West Palm Beach, FL, as well as by two sisters, Deborah Reed Filanowski, Selinsgrove, PA, and Connie Reed Filanowski (and husband, John), Herndon, VA. She has nieces, Jennifer Duperon (Matthew), Selinsgrove, PA, Sarah Filanowski, Columbus, OH, and Valerie Shank Bennett (Jason), Ormond Beach, FL, and one nephew, Jeremiah Cloxton (Adrian) Herndon, VA. She was preceded in death by a sister, Judith Kay Bennett, and two husbands, Alan Kauffman and Michael Swan.

Shiela spent her early years in the East View section of Clarksburg, where her parents, Jack and Berniece Reed, operated a grocery store, Reed’s Market, for 25 years. The family later moved to Bagwell Addition in Nutter Fort. She attended Roosevelt Wilson High School where she was a member of many clubs on a school and county level as well as a member of the RW Band and her proudest achievement was as a majorette in the Marching Band.

Her life was never dull, and she lived in Charleston, WV; Daytona Beach, FL: Boston, MA; Long Beach, CA; Long Beach, Long Island, NY, and finally returned to Florida. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston) in Charleston, WV, and later received a Masters in Family Counseling from University of Central Florida. She ran a Club House program on Long Island, and worked for several state agencies in Florida.

She was a lover of dogs and favored mix-breed Pit Bulls. She also had a flair for the dramatic and posed with friends in costume in several sepia-toned photographs, dressed as a saloon girl, in Elizabethan costumes, and cowgirl regalia. Visiting thrift stores and collecting vintage jewelry as well as clothing was a passion. She also had an impressive and colorful collection of tattoos.

Shiela Reed Swan had a zest for living and these last years of declining health inhibited that joie de vivre. In August 2021 she suffered the third and most serious of her strokes and had to reside in a nursing center. Her niece, Valerie Bennet Shank, oversaw her care during this time.

Arrangements are being handled by Volusia Memorial Funeral Home and Park. Her family will join together at a future date to celebrate her life. If anyone wants to donate to a cause in her name, she was partial to Pitbull Rescues. She volunteered at Animal Shelters and any donations to Halifax Humane Society, 2364 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32124, are appreciated.