Alma --- Sydney Sue (Jagnow) Swainston 72, of Brimley, MI passed away on Saturday November 15, 2014 at Masonic Pathways.
Sydney was born August 6, 1942 in Carson City, Michigan to Dr.L.E. Jagnow and Mrs. S.J. Jagnow. She was raised in Sheridan, MI where she went to Sheridan Agricultural High School and graduated in 1960. When she was 15 years old, she went to work as a switchboard operator at Sheridan Community Hospital. There, she became better acquainted with the love of her life, Duane E. Swainston. They married on June 10th 1961. They made their home in California for a couple of years until he was medically discharged from the Marines. After that, they made their home in Sheridan. Syd gave birth to a baby girl, Stacey Sue, on October 1, 1965. In 1990, she graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Sydney held many jobs in her lifetime. She worked in the medical records department at both Sheridan Community and Kelsey Hospitals. For a brief time, she worked at Sheridan Elementary in the lunch room. One of her favorite jobs was working at Montcalm Community College in the financial aid department. She also worked for Eight Cap INC for the foster grandparent and the weatherization programs. She worked for herself as a dog groomer, and as a caterer. But, her most favorite of all job titles, was that of "teacher". Although she worked as a substitute for many years, she especially enjoyed tutoring. She enjoyed teaching young and old alike in her most favorite subjects of Math and English. She always believed in the abilities of her student, and reveled in their accomplishments as her own.
Syd volunteered as a girl scout leader when her daughter was in girl scouts. She also was a member of the OES in Sheridan. She could be found at the Masonic Temple on many fish supper Friday nights helping. Her proudest accomplishment as a volunteer was when she volunteered to run the millage campaign for Montcalm Community College. That millage was passed for the construction of the Activities Building, and Syd received the Citizen of the Year award for her efforts.
Sydney had many hobbies. She loved to cook, sew, crochet and knit. She was always willing to share her knowledge and skill with anyone who wanted to learn. She enjoyed entertaining by their pool and there was always a hot dog on the grill for anyone wanting one. Over the years, many neighborhood kids could be found at Syd and Duane's doing cannonballs off the diving board. Once again, she enjoyed teaching anyone who wanted to learn, to swim. She taught all four of her grandchildren to swim. Syd loved animals, and many strays knew that at her place there was food, love and shelter. If she couldn't take one in, she would work hard to find them a new and loving home. Later,after she retired in Brimley, she loved gaming.
Sydney had many amazing friends with whom she liked having a good time. Dinner parties and potlucks were something she enjoyed.No one ever came away from her table hungry. She also enjoyed playing all types of games. she was always on alert at her parties for a "foursome" to play canasta, Rook or bridge. She taught many people all sorts of games, but she especially liked teaching her daughter and later her grandchildren, dominoes, Wahoo!, cribbage and Chinese checkers. In addition to Sheridan, Syd and Duane made their home in Coldwater, MI and Brimley MI where they retired.
Sydney is survived by her husband, Duane E. Swainston of Alma, her daughter, Mr and Mrs. Nick (Stacey) Snyder, her grandchildren, Mrs. Abigail Braman, Mr.and Mrs. Ronald (Naomi) Immer III, all of Sheridan, Mr James Snyder of Six Lakes, and Miss Hope Snyder of Sheridan. Also surviving are her two sisters, Boni LaChance of Grand Rapids, and Sandi Jagnow of Minnesota. She had three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Per her request, cremation has taken place, and there will be a small memorial service for family on November 28th at the Sheridan Congregational Church with Rev. Phillip VanDop officiating. Afterward, there will be a celebration of her life from 5-8 pm, at the Sheridan community Center, where friends and relatives are invited to come and share their remembrances.
Memorials may be given to the ASPCA, Montcalm Community College, or Masonic Pathways in her honor.