Evelyn Eva Swanemyr Brennan

Article Last Updated; Tuesday, October 27, 2009 12:16AM

Brennan

Former Durango resident Evelyn Eva Swanemyr Brennan died in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. She was 85.

Known as “Swaney,” she was born to Rudolph and Lilly Swanemyr in Durango on March 24, 1924. She grew up in Allison, attending grade school in both Allison and Ignacio. She graduated from Durango High School.

On March 14, 1943, she married William J. “Jimmy” Brennan in Aztec.

Mrs. Brennan was a wife and mother.

“I had the great fortune to have my mother live with me the last two years of her life, and we enjoyed reminiscing together about all the good times we shared as a family,” her daughter, Karen Sue Stinn, wrote. “My mother took tremendous pride in her marriage, her children and her grandchildren. She gave us all immense love and guidance right until the day of her death.”

Mrs. Brennan enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling and playing bridge with her husband and their friends.

“Evelyn often recalled the wonderful time that her son, James Casey, took her and her husband, Jimmy, sailing,” her daughter wrote. “She was so proud of her son’s accomplishments, including his distinguished Navy career. Moreover, during the last years of her life, she took great pleasure in speaking with Casey every afternoon.”

She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Columba Catholic Church.

Mrs. Brennan was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Jimmy Brennan.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Sue Stinn, of Cave Creek, Ariz.; son, James Casey Brennan, of Shady Side, Md.; brother Robert Swanemyr of Allison; and six grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at St. Columba Catholic Church. The Rev. James Koe-nigsfeld will be the celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.