Geraldine Slater Swope's Obituary
Geraldine Slater Swope, our beloved Mom, Grandma and GG, passed away peacefully October 2, 2016. Gerry was born December 30, 1928. The youngest of 6 children, Gerry made her mark in this world. She was a quiet observer. She would share with us many stories of her family growing up. There was a number of years between her and her next older sister. Gerry loved her brothers and sisters and spoke often of the adventures in growing up with them. Her brothers loved to tease and tell stories to make their mother laugh. Gerry would sit back and watch the performance and enjoyed her family. This made Gran an excellent story teller, she loved to share her history. We would hear about the “Depresssion” and her struggles and trials, trips to her cousins and swimming in the watering hole, her brothers who all served in the military and her sisters that she looked up to. She was proud of who she was and where she came from.
Gerry married her sweetheart, Jack Raymond Swope in 1952 and had two children. Boy Scouts was a major part of their life together, where her husband served as a Scout Master. He passed away in 1963. With a broken heart, Gerry took a leap of faith. She and her two children moved from California to Utah and started a new life as a single parent. Gran often said that it was an easy decision to listen to the spirit, but hard to explain to her children why they left their family in California. This is what made Gran such an inspiration and pillar of strength. With her determination she raised her two children and from there her family grew. Jack (Denise) and children Travis (Jen) Sebastian, Morgan (Phil) and Parker, and Nancy (deceased) her children Jenny (Marshall), Makayla, Gabriella and Connor, Peter (Andrea), Jordan, Mackenzie, Tyla and Payton, and Carrie (Dalton).
Gerry was a strong devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints. Her faith was unwavering. She had amazing knowledge of the gospel and the scriptures. Gerry served in many callings throughout her life within the church..but mainly she served! Not only was she devoted to her faith she was just as much devoted to her family. Her patriarchal blessing mentions that we, her family, would be strongly influenced by her good life, that her posterity would honor her name. Because of her devotion to us, her service, her hard work in keeping the family together, and simply just her love for each one of us, we all, with no hesitancy can and will honor her and have, in many ways, been influenced by Gran.
Gran, we can’t believe you are gone! There are so many memories we have of you. One thing we will always cherish and keep with us, is how you were always there for us whenever we needed you. You played a huge role in our life. Mom, Nancy, did a fantastic job raising her three kids and she had one hell of a wingman! You loved all of your grand kids unconditionally, near or far. You helped teach us how to know right from wrong, respect others, to be a silly kid, and grow to become a good person. This was also taught to your great-grand kids, who all admire you. Peter, her oldest grandson, recalls that Gran thought he was a genius!! In fact she thought he was the world’s best magician! After an hour or two of playing with him “pick a card, any card” Peter was getting them right every time. She finally realized Peter was looking at the reflection in her glasses at the card. They laughed and laughed, to this day we all still laugh at the magician prodigy. Pete’s biggest joy was seeing her laugh. We all love to joke and play, but Gran was the biggest teaser of us all and loved to be teased in return. Pete recounts, “I always tried hard to make you smile. It made my heart happy. This last year in particular was very rough! And you were a champ! Even though I can’t make you laugh anymore, I will keep smiling myself knowing that you are having a ball with Grandpa and Mom! Lucky you Gran.”
Many of her favorite things included: Telling jokes; hearing jokes; playing games...any game...and the grand kids would play for hours with her; watching old movies….some of her favorites were Doris Day, John Wayne, Cary Grant, James Garner to name a few; watching Football and Basketball….we would hear her say “get those dirty buggers”; Iceberg shakes; Costco polish kraut dogs, extra kraut; Geneology….Gerry loved history and more history about her family; sharing her stories...she had a plethora of stories to share; the Gospel; her Scottish heritage; and mostly her family was her favorite!
Gerry loved her two children with all her heart, she was very proud of them both. Her success was seeing them succeed. Gerry has been through many hardships, but the biggest was seeing her daughter pass away last October. This last year was very hard for her, and we all knew it wouldn’t be long till she wanted to join her and finally being reunited with her husband again. However, in the midst of her own grief she always kept true to her faith and stayed as positive as she could.
We can’t wait until we can make you smile again, but until then, hug our Dad/Grandpa and Mom/Sister for us. We are lucky to have 3 guardian angels looking out for us. We love you Mom/Gran! We are sure that the biggest game of Crazy Eights or Slap Jack are being played right now!
Funeral Services will be held at the LDS meetinghouse located at 1361 E 4000 S, SLC as an Open House visitation from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2016, followed by a graveside service at Elysian Gardens Cemetery located at 1075 E 4580 S SLC at 1:30 pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Geraldine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Geraldine?
Share a story where Geraldine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Geraldine you’ll never forget.
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