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Phyllis Swain
Born: 8/7/1930
Died: 7/19/2026
Age: 95
Community: Montrose, MI
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Phyllis Watkins Swain died on Sunday, July 19 in Ann Arbor. She was born August 7, 1930 in Cleveland to Gwyneth and Thomas Gwyn Watkins, who had recently immigrated from Wales. In the early 1930’s when her father became a buyer for Truscon Steel, the family moved to Detroit. They later resided in Highland Park where they were active in the choir of St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Phyllis graduated from Highland Park High School in 1947 and earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Wayne State University in 1951.
For 32 years she taught second grade in the Flint Public Schools, first at Doyle Elementary and then Carpenter Road Elementary. She was instrumental in developing and teaching in after-school and summer programs for students at all levels. Aware that not all education is gained in the classroom, she was committed to providing students with diverse experiences outside those walls.
She married Sheldon Williams in 1952, and the couple had three daughters while living in Flint, later moving to Montrose. They divorced in 1967.
In 1981 she married Earl G. Swain and following her retirement in 1985, the couple travelled throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They took great pleasure in the beautiful home they built on Farrand Road in Montrose in 1990, as well as their cottage in West Michigan. The couple was also active in the Montrose United Methodist Church. They were married for 43 years before Mr. Swain's death in 2024.
Fiercely proud of her Welsh heritage, Mrs. Swain loved attending the hymn sings of the Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association all over the US and Canada. She visited Wales several times, the first trip being with her mother in 1936 traveling aboard the Queen Mary. She fostered strong bonds between her family here and relatives in Wales. The importance of family life was instilled in her children and grandchildren, and she delighted in supporting and being present in their activities.
Phyllis Swain leaves, to cherish her memory, three children, Kathi Tarrant (Peter), Kerri (Mike) Staley, and Carol (Larry) Allgood; grandchildren, Jeremy (Sam) Tarrant, Andrea (Dennis) Loveall, Erin (Chuck) Stirdivant, and Lauren Staley-Martin; great grandchildren, Dennis Loveall, Madison Loveall, Ava Stirdivant, Lucy Martin, and Emilia Stirdivant; brother, Thomas Watkins; as well as several nieces and nephews, and cousins in Wales. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Mickey Staley.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 22 at 1:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. at O'Guinn Family Funeral Homes - Montrose Chapel, 239 E. Hickory Street, Montrose, Michigan 48457.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Cathedral Choir School of Metropolitan Detroit, 4800 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201. |
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| Visitation |
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8/22/2026 |
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11:00 AM |
| 11-1PM at the O'Guinn Family Funeral Home in Montrose |
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