Catherine Swain

Catherine J. Swain, daughter of Henry Gordon Earhart and Ethel (Crew) Earhart, passed away on December 12, 2014 after a long battle with respiratory disease. She was surrounded by family and friends who gave her support over the many years that she battled this debilitating disease. Kay's wishes were to be at home when she died. Her wish was the family's goal, and she was at home when she died.

Kay, as she was known to all, was a long term resident of Overton who moved there, from Culver City, California. She was born in Cleveland Ohio on May 26, 1935. Kay and Edward Swain (Ed), her husband (now deceased), fell in love with Overton and bought property there in the late '60's. Kay was married to Edward Swain for 27 years until he passed away in 1984. Later, Kay married Tom Haggerty and remained close friends, even after a divorce, until his death in 2004.

Kay, Grandma as everyone knew her by, worked at the Overton Beach Restaurant as a cook (remember the Beach Burgers?). She also worked at the Overton Market, and being so sociable, knew almost everyone in town (including the Snowbirds). She finished her working career at the Virgin River Casino as a hostess. She worked the swing shift and came home in the dark for many years (scary).

Kay's loves

Kay loved Lake Mead. The lake is the reason why Kay and Ed moved to Overton. With friends and family, they would frequently go out on the lake to fish and recreate on the many sandy beaches that used to be in the Overton Arm of the lake. In a way, the lake was their backyard.

Kay loved seafood and lake food. She was especially fond of lobster, which she enjoyed with her Overton girl friend, Jeanie, on their birthdays.

Kay loved to travel. In later years she traveled with her son David, to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, and a big European adventure in 1999 with other family members visiting 9 countries. Kay also went to many family reunions back in Cleveland and went to the east coast to swim in the Atlantic (she never seen it before).

Kay loved animals. Anyone who visited her home would know that by all the pictures of animals, especially wolves, pasted on her walls. In Culver City California, on a standard urban lot of 50' x 100', she had a monkey, skunk, rabbits (Jack rabbit, which lived in the house, and domestic rabbits), turtles, ducks, parrots, chickens, fish, and many dogs. In Overton, her animal passion continued. She had a horse, pigs, dogs, chickens, turkeys, pigeons, and a myriad of wild creatures that she fed or someone else fed, up until her passing.

Kay loved all people. She didn't have an enemy and always wanted to rectify any problems with anyone she knew. With that said, she knew how to forgive. She learned that from her first love the Lord Jesus Christ. She has been a member of the Calvary Community Church since she moved to Overton in 1971. Even with her health failing and on oxygen, she made every effort to serve as a greeter at the Church. She is with the Lord now and we know that she will rest with Him in peace.

Kay is survived by her Sister, Barbara Daniels-Dier, her son, David Strickland and her surviving stepsons (who she loved as her own sons) Edward Swain and his family, Steven Swain and his family, and Timothy Swain and his family. Sadly she survived two of her sons, Clifford Elmore and her stepson, Kenny Swain. They passed sooner than they should have.

Her grand daughter, Lori Swain, who was at her side most of the time assisting her when she was ill. Kay loved Lori very much.

Kay is also survived by two grandsons, Sonny and Shawn Elmore, sons of Clifford Mark Elmore (also known as Sonny) who passed away in February 1995.

Kay, your survivors and friends will miss you more than anyone could know. You will be remembered for your kindness, love of life, love for all who knew you, your unselfishness, love of animals, for you being there for anyone who needed a shoulder to cry on, and for your love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone you knew was a part of your family.

Memorial Services, for Kay, will be held on January 3, 2015 at the Calvary Community Church at 1 PM.

A small reception will be held after the service.

In lieu of Flowers, and if you are so inclined, there will be a place for a donation to her favorite animal society which will be in her name.