The Coos Bay Times announced: "A serious forest fire spreads through the South Inlet section causing much damage. A daughter is born to Mr. and Mrs. L. R. McDonald and is named Colleen Mae." Colleen Mae McDonald, daughter of Lauchlin "Mac" and Anna (Aberge) McDonald, was born July 28, 1926, in North Bend, Oregon. She learned patience early-waiting while her mother had her hair done on the way to the hospital!
By age two, Colleen was already accompanying her mother to Norwegian Lutheran Ladies Aid meetings. During this time, her father built boats and trolled along the Oregon coast. One of his boats, the Ann, carried the family to Alaska when Colleen was seven. To make the journey more fun, Mac built her a swing hanging from the mast.
She attended school in Petersburg, Alaska, forming lifelong friendships with fellow members of the "hill gang" who lived along Fram Street and 5th. As a cheerleader, she traveled on seiners with the ball team across Southeast Alaska. Life in Petersburg was full-church events, outings in the boat, picnics "out the road," and working at the Swanson family's telephone exchange.
Colleen was creative and artistic. She painted names on boats her father built at Mitkof Marine Ways and transformed the basement of their new home into a whimsical playroom with cartoon murals. Later, after studying tribal art in an evening class, she painted the exterior garage wall to resemble a Tlingit clan house.
After graduating high school, Colleen boarded a steamer to attend Oregon State College in Corvallis. She completed a year and a half before marrying Wally Swanson in 1947. They welcomed four children in six years-Robert, Thomas, Carol, and John-keeping Colleen very busy. Once her youngest started school, she became the first elementary school secretary in Petersburg. Over time, she took on district bookkeeping and became the superintendent's secretary. After retirement, Colleen and Wally spent over 27 winters in Thousand Palms, California, soaking in the sunshine.
Colleen's deep love of gardening spanned her entire life. She designed and landscaped around four homes in Petersburg and California. She rarely ended a day without digging in the dirt-even into her mid-nineties. When asked where Colleen was, Wally often replied, "You know where she is. Out in the yard, and she won't come in. It's after dinner!"
A trip to the nursery to buy plants was a highlight for her. She had a well read gardening bible, and later the internet, which made research easy. Many drives were taken after church from Palm Desert to Indio to browse the latest plant arrivals, though she rarely purchased anything. With encouragement from Wally, she would occasionally purchase a rose bush-eventually totaling 35 in all.
Music was another of her great joys. A talented pianist with years of lessons, she played in the high school band, for community dances, weddings, church services, and personal enjoyment. Her four children grew up with her playing the piano as they played rhythm instruments. She had a gentle touch and expressive style. As a choir director at Petersburg Lutheran Church, she led both Junior and Senior Choirs, occasionally raising eyebrows with her selection of contemporary music for the traditionally conservative Scandinavian congregation.
Colleen was also an avid reader. Thursdays were important-the arrival of the Petersburg Pilot. She read every article. In the desert, she devoured The Desert Sun daily, clipping crossword puzzles and comics to share in greeting cards or a letter to a friend. The public library was a constant companion, and she was rarely without a book. She carried hardback novels in heavy tote bags on airplanes, despite Wally's pleas: "Colleen, you're not bringing that book!" Of course, she did. And she packed other essentials, too-like hard-boiled eggs or peanut butter sandwiches-always with a napkin at the ready. Colleen was always up for travel, a visit with neighbors, a trip to the store, a walk down to town, a visit to see what her kids and grandchildren were up to, a phone call to friends, sharing a dinner and dessert, hosting a party, bringing her dahlias to Carol's classroom, or a rose from the green house to the post office. She shared her life graciously.
Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, Ann and Mac McDonald her husband of 77 years, Wally Swanson his parents, Lloyd and Lillian Swanson; her sister-in-law, Mary Ann Swanson; and her niece, Leslie Smith.
She is survived by her four children: Robert (Teresa) Swanson, Thomas (Kerry) Swanson, Carol (John) McCabe, and John (Miriam) Swanson her brother-in-law, Norris Swanson, and his son, Gregg (Tricia) Swanson her grandchildren: Jennifer (Matt) Bryner, Adam (Brenna) Swanson, Leah Swanson, Ben Swanson, Annie (Kent) Chalmers, Caitlin (Cory) Smith, Logan Swanson, Keely (Aaron) Hankins, and Jael Swanson; her great-grandchildren: Lauren (Tyler), Ethan, Sawyer, Parker, Elliott, Wren, Brooke, Oliver, Finn, Brecken, Brett, Aria, Greyson, and Calvin and her great-great-grandchildren: Libby, Beckett, and Robbie.
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