CHARLESTON, S.C. – Melva Elizabeth Criley Swenson, who lived a long and beautiful life, passed away July 21, 2008. She was born April 28, 1914, in Independence, Mo., the third child of Frank and Hazel Criley. She grew up with her sister, Wilma and brother, Carwin “Bud.” Her father was the town dentist. She was a star swimmer at the family owned community swimming pool. Melva was a stylish young woman and very popular at William Chrisman High School. After high school, she had various secretarial jobs and worked as a painter for Hallmark Cards. In 1941, she married Dr. Orvar Swenson in Independence, Mo., and honeymooned in the Smo-key Mountains on their way to Boston, where they settled and raised their three daughters, Wenda, Elsa and Melva “Mimi.” Melva was a devoted wife and dutiful mother. She disliked sailing, but selflessly spent almost 50 years sailing with her husband on various sailboats along the Eastern Coast from Maine to Florida; Great Lakes and Mediterranean Sea. She also accompanied her husband on his numerous speaking engagements all throughout the world; India, Australia, South America, Canada and Europe. She and her family moved to Chicago in 1960, and lived there until 1973 when she and her husband retired to Rockport. They were snowbirds and also had a home in Fort Pierce, Fla. She took up painting with watercolors in retirement. In 2001, Melva and her husband moved to Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community, Charleston, S.C. Melva Elizabeth Criley Swenson was a lady who loved the beauty of all things. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Orvar Swenson of Bishop Gadsden, Charleston, S.C.; three daughters, Wenda Swenson of Sacramento, Calif., Elsa Teel of Bar Harbor and Melva “Mimi” Owens of Charleston, S.C.; six grandchildren, Cathy, Christopher, Jenna, Tyra, Will and Evan; and one great-grandchild, Ethan. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, in the chapel at Bishop Gadsden. Burial services will be conducted later at Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence, Mo. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel, South Carolina.
MELVA SWENSON
