Margaret Swain
April 15, 2014
On April 15, 2014, Margaret Swain (McEachern) passed on to be with the Lord and to join Bill, her husband of 60 years and the love of her life. Born November 2, 1917, Margaret started her life as the second eldest of a pioneer family in Gould Township and at Basswood Lake in northern Ontario. In 1928, her family moved to Sudbury where she excelled in all her academic endeavours. In 1935, she attended Teacher’s College in North Bay and began her teaching career in 1936 at a small one room school house in Dean Lake. Her teaching career at Central Public School and Alexander Public School in Sudbury, Ontario, would span six decades with a 20 year “break” to raise her seven children. Margaret was known for her innovative teaching practices and as quoted by one of her principals at her retirement, “Her unique skill lies in her ability to promote and enhance the integrity of children. She made a significant contribution to the lives of students and teachers who came under her influence and was one of the ‘Greats’.” Margaret carved her own personal niche in the life of every one of her children, grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. She had an extraordinary sense for doing the right thing, regardless of convention and she was the source of great joy at every greeting. She was known for her kindness and generosity which were extended to many. She is predeceased by a son, Donald Rodger, her sisters, Mary, Ellen (Bo) and brothers, Ronny and Johnny. She will be missed greatly and her memory cherished by her daughter, Christina (Phil) of London, and her six sons, Billy of Edmonton, Jim (Dorothy) of Welland, Johnny (Freda) of Edmonton, Bobby (Laura) of Vancouver, Tommy of Vancouver and Ron (Dodie) of St. Thomas; eight grandchildren, Trevor, Scott, Andrea, Lauren, Emily, Bobby, Joey and Johnny. As well, she will be missed by her brother Rodger (Carolyn), special niece, Sue Hutton and family, many nieces, nephews and close family friends. Interment and memorial service will take place in May at Pine Grove Cemetery, Little Rapids, Ontario. In memory of Margaret, donations can be made to Mission Services of London.
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"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." Henry Adams From her colleagues at RTO/ERO to Margaret's family - we know that your best comfort will come from the telling of her life stories by those who knew the joy of her presence in their lives. Margaret's name has been added to our In Memoriam. She will be remembered at our next meeting, and a donation will be made to the Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin in memory of Margaret.
To Mrs. Swain's family... Although I never had Mrs. Swain as a regular class teacher, she was often assigned as a supply teacher in Sudbury. She is one of the few teachers that stands out in my memory even after all these years! She was always kind, caring and I can honestly say she was one of my absolute favourites. I knew my day was going to be a good one when she was the supply teacher! Please know that she will never be forgotten, and please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord continue to encourage you and give you His peace.
My condolences to the Swain family. I remember Mrs. Swain teaching Sunday School at the Berean Baptist Church. She had a a way about her that I will never forget. I have been in Sudbury this past week as we laid to rest my brother Barry who passed away the same day as your mom. He had a long battle with cancer. Good thing is that we were able to pray together at the beginning of the year and he asked the Father for forgiveness. I don't mean to take time up as you are grieving, but I know that Barry would have wanted you to know Jim. He thought very highly of you and so do I. God Bless
My heartfelt condolences to all the Swain Family. I was up in Sudbury for Easter and read of your Mother's passing. Wishing you peace to bring you comfort, Courage to face the days ahead and Loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Though I only met Margaret a couple of times, what I remember distinctly is her warmth and kindness. She made me feel welcome and comfortable--and important even--to the gathering I happened to be part of. As a teacher myself, the expression "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" comes up more than periodically. Now, knowing Tommy so well, and having seen how loving and truly integrated the entire Swain family is, it is clear that Margaret was a remarkable mother and model of love and care. I look forward to hearing more about her in the brighter days ahead--when your memories bubble forth with joy and comfort, to replace what is undoubtedly a seemingly insurmountable sense of pain and loss. My heart goes out to each of you at this difficult time. God bless.
I will always know her as Mrs. Swain ... my grade 2 teacher at Alexander P.S. and one of the most influencial teachers of my life. Mrs. Swain encouraged all of us to write a speach for a Public Speaking contest ... I guess she liked mine, because she had me practising every day - let me qualify the term "practising" - every day for a couple of weeks she had me standing on a chair at the end of the school's long hall way, while she was at the other end, yelling "louder, louder, project your voice, let them know what you are saying, they need to hear you!" She was encouraging, supportive and gave me the direction, confidence and coaching I needed to go all the way to win the City Championship for Public Speaking. Little did I realize at the time what an influenced this had on the rest of my life, as today I speak with confidence to global audiences, which all started because of the support she gave me when I was 8 years old . I will always have a grateful, soft spot in my heart for her. I know she is up there in heaven right now, having the angels perched high on the clouds, standing tall, shoulders back and saying to them ... "sing louder ... project your voice ... let everyone hear you, they need to hear what you are singing ... louder, louder! THANKS MRS. SWAIN ... and keep those angels singing!
(Donated to Mission Services of London)
(Donated to Mission Services of London)
Thinking of Ron & family with sincere sympathy.......
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Sher and I were very sorry to hear of your mothers passing.Our prayers and thoughts are with your whole family during this sad time.
~ Stewart Doran