Mary Ann Swafford of Walsh, Colorado went to be with her Lord on February 16, 2018, just one year, one day and minutes apart from her husband, the love of her life, Walter Swafford. She was born at home in Bartlett, Colorado, on April 29, 1934, to Arthur and Mabel McGill Butt. She was the sixth of seven siblings. The family moved to Walsh when Mary Ann was just a little girl. Here in Walsh, Mary Ann attended school and graduated in 1952. After graduation, Mary Ann attended college in La Junta, Colorado, while also working at the Chevy dealership. Fate has a way of shaping our lives, and hers was no exception. When her date for the homecoming dance suffered a broken leg in an accident, she agreed to be escorted by Walt Swafford who was visiting the family next door for the weekend. The last-minute substitution became a life-long romance which lasted 63 years.
Early in their marriage, Walt and Mary Ann lived in California and Kansas and eventually settled in Hobbs, New Mexico where they made their home for 54 years. She was active in the community and the First Presbyterian Church where she served as Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Church Secretary.
Mary Ann served as an Elementary School Secretary and as Secretary to the Athletic Director of the Hobbs Municipal Schools and especially enjoyed organizing the state track meet. Following her career with the Hobbs Municipal Schools she served as Office Manager for a local physician until her retirement. Mary Ann enjoyed her retirement years, still taking an active part in the church and the Hobbs community. She and Walt would vacation at Angel Fire every year, usually in the Fall to watch the leaves change. Family gatherings were very important, and their vacations often included their children and their families.
In 2010, Mary Ann and Walt moved to Walsh to be near family. There they enjoyed going to ball games and the County Fair to watch their granddaughter participate. Mary Ann enjoyed becoming a part of the United Methodist Women's group. She also volunteered her time and organizational talents in the office at Walsh Healthcare Center.
Mary Ann loved to cook and in particular loved to bake. Her grandchildren loved to make and decorate cookies with her each holiday. As they grew older, they began to call her for recipes and tips to make their favorite foods from "Grandma's House". Many a neighbor or family friend was the recipient of her savory cooking; she truly could take a good recipe and make it great. One of the many things Mary Ann and Walt enjoyed together was working in their yard. Both in Hobbs and Walsh, the flowers bloomed, the birds were well fed and the yard was meticulously groomed.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband Walt in 2017. She is survived by her two daughters Tracy (Steve) Ginsburg of Dripping Springs, Texas and Tammy (Greg) Hetrick of Walsh, four grandchildren Lindsey Lemoncelli(Jimmy) of Waco, Texas, Christopher Odom (Meagan) of Phoenix, Arizona, Alex Meltabarger (Tanner) of Amarillo, Texas, and Andrean Ortivez of Amarillo, Texas; three great grandchildren; and her sister-in-law Carolyn Sue Barnes of Lees Summit, Missouri; other nieces and nephews, cousins and her many friends.
The family requests that donations in her honor be made to the Walsh Healthcare Center or to the Walsh United Methodist Church.