July 12, 2018
Barbara "Fay" Swanson (nee Hufty) passed away after a brief illness in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on July 12, 2018. Fay was born in New Denver, BC and spent most of her early life growing up in Nelson, BC. She was predeceased by her father, Charles Boyd Hufty and mother, Emily Kathleen Susan Hufty, her sister Betty-Ann McKenzie and her infant son, Stephen.
She leaves behind her loving husband, James W. Swanson, daughter Katie, sons Mark (Tracey) and Michael (Naomi) and her only grandchild, Julianna Nielsen. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Speirs (Ron), Tom Hufty (Leila) and Harry Hufty (Margaret) and many nieces and nephews; Fay will also be missed by their border collie, Meg.
Fay enjoyed her career as a Registered Nurse after training at St Paul's Hospital in Vancouver and also in Cranbrook, the same hospital where her mother and sister Betty-Ann also trained. She retired in the 70s and later worked at Swanson & Maher Insurance.
In earlier years, Fay was very active with Power Squadron and became the first female Commander in the history of the Nanaimo Power Squadron; something she was very proud of. Her most favourite activity was sailing with Jim on their boat "Decorum" and spent many summers exploring Desolation Sound and Bella Bella. She also enjoyed world travels, computers and genealogy.
The family expresses their gratitude for the care Fay received at NRGH, particularly the staff in the Palliative Care ward.
A service will be held on July 27, 2018. Internment will be held at 11:00 AM at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, 2347 Cedar Road, Nanaimo followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM at Sands Funeral Chapel, 1 Newcastle Ave, Nanaimo, BC.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada would be appreciated. 
Sands Funeral Home, Nanaimo