Margaret Helen Bruce Swatek
Margaret Helen Bruce Swatek, 107, of Mexico, Missouri, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024. Born on September 17, 1917, to Thomas and Helen Bruce, Margaret was the second of seven children. She and her only sister both lived past 100 years, and she treasured her close family ties.
Margaret graduated from Mexico High School and worked in the office at A.P. Green, where she met the love of her life, Jack W. Swatek. The two were married in 1937, and built a life together, first in Detroit, MI and Moline, IL, before returning to Mexico. They had three children: E. Anne (Jerry) Swatek Shay, Caroline (Robert) Swatek Crumpacker, and John W. (Karen) Swatek III. Margaret was a proud Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother. She was affectionately known as "Marnie" by her nine grandchildren; Amy Shay Evans, Sarah Shay Hillebrand, John (Holly) Shay, Tim (Nive) Bailey, William Bailey, Andy Crumpacker, Justin (Jen) Swatek, Allison (Adam) Swatek Minks, Megan (Ryan) Swatek Yagelski. Her legacy continues through her 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A devoted and active member of her community, Margaret was a lifelong golfer at the Mexico Country Club, where she and Jack celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary many years ago. She was also an avid walker, often seen strolling around Lakeview Lake, where she and Jack lived for over 30 years. Margaret’s love for sports extended to her passion for Missouri Tigers basketball and football, a commitment that earned her the title of the longest season ticket holder for basketball at the age of 90. She could often be found in Row 25 at Faurot Field, cheering on her beloved Tigers, where her husband, son, and a grandson were all athletes. She was known in her community as the mom who would help out with anything, Margeret was who the school called when someone was in need and she would always respond.
In her retirement, Margaret and Jack spent many winters in Fort Myers, FL, where they enjoyed golf and peaceful walks on the beach. Margaret also had a deep love of reading, needlepointing and knitting, creating beautiful pieces of art, stockings and sweaters for her family members especially grandchildren and great grandchildren. Through church, she donated many sweaters to orphanages overseas. Known for her impeccable sense of style, she enjoyed dressing up for any occasion, never afraid to wear pearls on even the simplest days. Her grandchildren will always remember her for her grace, elegance, and insistence on good manners.
Margaret was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church of Mexico. She and Jack were married in the original church, where a stained-glass window remains in her family’s honor. She cherished the memory of her 100th birthday party, surrounded by family and friends at the Mexico Country Club.
The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the friends and loving staff at both Teal Lake and King's Daughters Home for their care and compassion in recent years. We are also thankful for all those who visited Margaret and continued to involve her in special events, sharing in birthdays and holidays, even as the years passed.
While we mourn her passing, we take comfort in knowing that Margaret is reunited with her husband, Jack, after 27 years apart, her many siblings and her beloved son John, who took great pride in caring for her all these years. She is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Shay and Caroline Crumpacker, and her brother Richard Bruce of California. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, son-in-law Jerry Shay, and son John W. Swatek III.
A funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Mexico on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 11a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Methodist Church of Mexico.
We are deeply grateful for the many years we had with our mother, grandmother, and Marnie. Her legacy of love, faith, and dedication to her family will live on in all of us.
Arnold Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com