Commie C Conway

1924-2014

Mrs. Commie (Swope) Conway passed away on January 24, 2014. She was the daughter of Sam and Bessie Swope, of Alamagordo, New Mexico, where she was born on October 10, 1924. She was the wife of Edward George Conway, and they were married for 49 years, and he preceded her to heaven in 1994. She was a dedicated mother to seven children, making their success her priority in a large farm household. She is survived by Mike Conway, Jim Conway, Cathy Baldwin, Sue Larsen, Dennis Conway, Kelly Johnson, and was preceded by her son, Tom Conway. Mrs. Conway's grandchildren include Robbie Conway and Michelle Strobel; Sean Conway; Jason and Michelle Baldwin; Elizabeth Nuss and Chris Larsen; Rachel Sheeran and Claire Johnson; Carly and Kyle Conway, and was preceded by her grandson, Andy Larsen. Great-grandchildren include Alex and Andrew Strobel, Rowan Conway, Jacob Baldwin, Mariah Nicholson, Nathan Nuss, and Ava Sheeran.

Commie was raised on a horse ranch in Roswell, New Mexico with her family, including brothers Lee and Jim, and sister Jean, who all preceded her to heaven. She graduated from Olympia high school in 1942, where she was a majorette. She served as a civilian secretary for the US Army, where she met and married her husband, Edward Conway. They made their home in South Bay, in Olympia, Washington, for 40 years. Commie and her family were active in Grange for over 30 years, serving as Pomona Master, State Grange secretary, secretary in her local South Bay Grange, Youth Group organizer, and became a 7th degree member in the state grange. She made many dear friends over the years in all her activities in the Grange, and this was something she really loved. She was active in North Thurston School Distirct as a PTA member, and she received several golden acorn awards for her community service and volunteer work. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed her sports time with her club of friends. She worked for Burlington Northern Railroad as a secretary in charge of managing railroad deliveries and freight at Tacoma's Union Station and Olympia terminals, and she retired after her career of 30 years with the railroad.

Commie enjoyed traveling during her retirement with her husband, extended family and friends, visiting Ireland, Italy, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, and made several cruises to see the Eastern US, as well as Alaska. She was a season ticket holder and enjoyed attending Seahawks' games with her dear friends Ben and Betty Ponzoha. She enjoyed golfing with her close friends the Ponzohas and Darsts. Camping was an important part of her life with her family, and made many trips with the Grange youth group across Washington state. She additionally enjoyed RV-ing with the Oly Rollers, and camped with this set of dear friends for years. This was part of Commie's love for beautiful scenery and the great outdoors, which she enjoyed visiting even when she could no longer camp.

After retirement and the loss of her beloved husband, she moved to Eagle's Landing, in Tumwater, Washington. During this time, her true blue companion was her beloved miniature poodle, Daisy, who went whenever and wherever that Mom went. When she could no longer live on her own due to her conditions of Alzheimer's disease and age, she lived at Olympic's West retirement home, also in Tumwater, Washington. She continued to the end of her life to be actively engaged with her family, spending every moment she could with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mom will be dearly missed. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Commie on Friday, January 31st, at 1:00 p.m., in the chapel at Mills and Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, located at 5725 Littlerock Road, in Tumwater, Washington.