Jeannine Ray Swarts – 1932-2026

Jeannine was an intelligent, strong and sensitive woman, an artist, a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She cared deeply for the people in her life and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances with whom she kept in touch. Her embrace of the opportunities birthed by the Women's movement in the 1970's, with all its unknowns, rewards and disruptions, is expressed in the breadth of her accomplishments and through encouraging those of her daughters and grandchildren.

Jeannine was born in Akron on October 31, 1932 to Francis and Frances (Molster) Dye. She had three siblings: the late Richard Dye, Roberta Dye (Arnold) and Francis Dye. She graduated from Barberton H.S. Growing up she worked at the family's restaurant on Wooster Road near where she met her husband of 55-years, John (Jack) M. Swarts.

Jeannine's art exhibited both imaginative and technical accomplishment. She took many art courses in her youth, at the University of Akron, and privately from well-known local artists. She possessed advanced skills in several media including drawing, painting, ceramics and colored pencil, her preferred medium. She was an active member of The Colored Pencil Society. She exhibited regularly in Akron and NEO, culminating with two juried pieces at the Butler Institute of American Art annual show. Her joy and success in these adventures induced her to teach small groups of children and adults, while also encouraging artistic expression in her grandchildren. In addition to her art abilities, she was a skilled seamstress, making clothes for herself and her daughters.

Jeannine and Jack were married on July 21, 1951. Sons, John and Jeffrey were born in Akron. Jeannine supported Jack's career during two overseas assignments. Jeannine met the challenges of living overseas and helped her family to flourish. The first assignment took the family to Bogota, Colombia where their daughters Janice, Susan and son Robert were born. The family returned to Akron in 1960 and moved into their new home in Copley in 1962. In 1964 Jack was again offered an overseas assignment in Bari, Italy. Jeannine again met these challenges by learning Italian, her second new language, making new friends and embracing the cultural differences. The family returned to Copley permanently in 1965.

Jeannine started to work for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services to help support her children's college educations. She continued to fulfill her role as a mother and wife while also continuing to work toward her artistic goals.

Jeannine and Jack enjoyed family gatherings, dancing, and playing bridge with friends in Copley. Jeannine was an avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction reading included art, nature and politics which supplied the fodder for many spirited discussions. She was still reading the Akron Beacon Journal, in paper form. During the family's early years they took many camping trips en-route to her mother's home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and once south to the Florida Keys. Jeannine and Jack traveled extensively after retirement to Yellowstone Park and other national parks, Europe, Morocco and Jamaica.

In 1995 after her retirement, Jeannine bought an RV and began traveling throughout the United States going as far as Barrow, Alaska. Many of her US excursions were as a part of RVing Women and Solo RVers. That began a series of adventures exploring the USA and wintering in warm climates, with friends she met along the way. On her own, Jeannine traveled extensively overseas including to Europe, Australia, Africa, New Zealand, among other destinations.

Jeannine Swarts is survived by five children: Douglas Swarts (Maria), Jeffrey Swarts (Patricia), Janice Heighway, Susan Steen (Bill) and Robert Swarts (Debra); 13 grandchildren: Samuel (Kayla) and Anna Swarts; Gabriel (Raquel), Benjamin (Brooke) and Brian (Stacie) Swarts; Rae Hamilton (Matt), Coree Miracola (Mark), John (Kayla) and Scott (Brooke) Heighway, Siobhan (Javid) and Allanah (Aaron) Steen, Rachel Northrop (Will) and Catherine Swarts; 11 great grandchildren: Jacob, Claire and Siena Swarts; Owen, Liam, Aiden and Gavin Hamilton; Lucas, Leo and Ailee Miracola, and Indiana Farazad.

A Celebration of Life for Jeannine, will be held at The Akron Art Museum on Friday, February 6th, from 5:30-8:30. Her pieces of artwork will be displayed. Although flowers were a favorite subject in Jeannine's work, our family asks that attendees donate to The Akron Art Museum or, through Waite Funeral Home, to donate trees to our environment in Jeannine's honor.