Obituary of Shirley E. Swartwout

New Woodstock: In the early morning hours of Sunday, September 17, 2017, Shirley E. (Travis) Swartwout was peacefully welcomed into the glorious presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though the final weeks of her life were a struggle, Shirley had lived a very meaningful and blessed life over 90 years. Even in her final days, surrounded by family in the home of a dear and loving friend, she joined in singing some of the old hymns she loved so much. With peace and anticipation, Shirley sang “God will take care of me,” and He did, carrying her safely to her eternal home with Him. Born August 12, 1927, in Alcove, NY, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Ethelyn (Bailey) Travis. After graduating from Ravena-Coeymans High School, she completed her secretarial degree at Albany Business College. She married Eugene B. Swartwout on June 14, 1947, and was his faithful wife and help for 46 years until his death in 1994. She lived in Coeymans Hollow and, after marriage, in Westerlo and Warrensburg. In her later years, Shirley spent time with her children in NY, Australia, England, and Colorado. Shirley worked as a secretary at Alcoa Aluminum and Barber & Bennett in Albany, and Crawford & Company in Glens Falls. She later used her skills in ministry at Mountainside Bible Chapel in Schroon Lake as church secretary and at Word of Life Fellowship in Pottersville. Greater than these, her God-given vocation was that of a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. The defining moment in Shirley’s life occurred when she accepted God’s gift of love and forgiveness – Jesus Christ. His work of grace guaranteed her a forever home with Him in a place where there is no more pain, sorrow, tears, or death. A testimony to her changed life, and GOD’s work through her, was seen in the comfort, encouragement, counsel, and love shared by those whose lives she touched. She desired that others know the joy and love she found in Jesus for themselves and to “finish well”; all those around her would say she did. In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley is predeceased by an older sister, Wanda (John) Furst, and three grandsons, Wayne, Timothy, and Daniel Swartwout. She is survived by her sister, Fay (William Sr) Burns of West Coxsackie; five children, Guy (Lyn) Swartwout of Pottersville, Lisa (“Roy”) Watson of Warragul, Australia, Curtis (Lorrie) Swartwout of New Woodstock, Cindy (Ian) Crossley of Chichester, England, and Karen (Glenn) Rumrill of La Junta, CO; 15 grandchildren, David Swartwout of Queensbury, Charity (Jason) Edwards of Lynchburg, VA, Shane Watson of Williamstown, Australia, Ruth (James) Kelly of Melbourne, Australia, Chase (Ash) Watson of Murtoa, Australia, Richard Young of Cazenovia, Christopher (Monica) Swartwout of Chittenango, Emily (Christopher) Lockett of New Woodstock, Nathan (Naomi) Crossley of Rose Greene, England, Timothy Crossley of Chichester, England, Benjamin Rumrill of Indianapolis, IN, and Jonathan, Alecia, Kaylee, and Ethan Rumrill of LaJunta, CO; 14 great-grandchildren, Tyler Swartwout, Logan and Rowan Edwards, Liam and Will Watson, Sadie Kelly, Matilda Watson, Nora and Troy Swartwout, Monica, Maliah, and Micah Lockett, and Joshua and Reuben Crossley. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, September 30, 2017, at Mountainside Bible Chapel, 165 US Route 9, Schroon Lake. Burial will be conducted at 1 pm, Monday September 25, 2017 in Westerlo Rural Cemetery, County Route 143, Westerlo. Please visit www.alexanderhfh.net for online guestbook and condolences.