Elizabeth Swanson, 65, passed away unexpectedly on October 12, 2026. For 38 years, Elizabeth dedicated her life to education and helping others find success. As a private tutor, her greatest goal was to ensure that every child and adult she encountered had the knowledge, confidence, and tools they needed to succeed in their educational journey. She believed that everyone deserved the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. Elizabeth also shared her passion for education through her work with New Horizons, where she led a GED class for young adults who had experienced hardships and needed a second chance. She understood that life did not always follow a straight path and was committed to helping others find their way forward. Through her patience, dedication, and love of learning, she helped open doors for countless people and made a lasting difference in their lives. Outside of her work, Elizabeth had a wonderful sense of humor and a gift for making life more entertaining. She loved music, singing with her niece, and enjoying a few beverages along the way. Music trivia nights with friends and family were among her favorite pastimes, giving her another opportunity to share laughs, show off her knowledge, and enjoy the company of those she loved. Elizabeth was also fiercely competitive when it came to games. She and her longtime partner, Keith, often turned an ordinary game night into an all-out tournament, complete with rounds of board games and, no doubt, plenty of determination to claim victory. For Elizabeth, these moments were about more than winning; they were about spending time with the people she loved and creating memories that would last. A lifelong learner, Elizabeth was always seeking new information and expanding her mind. She had a knack for sharing “fun facts” with just about anyone, making sure there was always something new to learn or an interesting tidbit to add to a conversation. Her curiosity was endless, and she delighted in passing that curiosity on to others. Elizabeth also had a lifelong love of cats, welcoming many into her heart and home over the years. Her beloved Poppy, Violet, and Zinnia held a particularly special place in her heart and were cherished members of her family. Elizabeth leaves behind her partner of 37 years, Keith Messick; her sisters, Chris Carli and Terri Rolan; her nephew, Adam Carli; her niece, Allison Umstot, and Allison’s husband, Travis Umstot; her great-nephews, Kaleb Okuley-Carli and Jacob Diede; and her great-nieces, Lydia Diede and London Umstot. 

Elizabeth will be remembered for her devotion to education, her generous spirit, her quick wit, her competitive streak, and her endless curiosity about the world around her. She spent 38 years giving others the tools to succeed, but she also gave the people in her life something just as meaningful: laughter, shared experiences, and memories that will be treasured for years to come. Her impact lives on in the students she taught, the lives she helped change, the fun facts she shared, and the family and friends who will forever hear her laughter in their memories. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

The family will receive friends at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 6-7PM at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 7PM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Animal Aid Society in her memory.