Althea "Betty" Swanson

On April 14, 2018, Althea “Betty” Broussard Swanson entered eternal life surrounded by her family. She is the loving mother of Suzzan Swanson Defourneaux (Jim), Steven Michael Swanson, Sr. (Rochelle), Stephanie Swanson Hasenkampf (Jeffrey), and the late Baby Swanson. She is the BeBe of her most precious grandchildren: Katy Secord McVay Peterson (Bryan), Steven Swanson, Jr., Jamie Defourneaux, Madison Hasenkampf, and Melanie Hasenkampf, and her great-grandchildren, Corbyn and Cadyn McVay. She is survived by her beloved sisters, Beverly B. Jourdan (Gary) and Ann M. Burghardt-Dieck (Ken); her nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends; and her pride and joy, her most favorite gift, her rescued fur baby, Baby Kate. She is preceded in death by her parents Alfred Broussard and Mildred Doerr Broussard Melinie Ernst.
Betty was known by many, loved by most, and will be remembered by all. Aged 76, a native of New Orleans and resident of Metairie for the past 61 years. She was a graduate of East Jefferson High School in 1959. She was a parishioner of St. Mary Magdalen and a teacher at the school from 1975 to 1991. She volunteered her time with the Altar Society and the Mother’s Club and had no reservation in leading many other groups in the school such as the yearbook club, chess club, cheer team, and the basketball team. She graduated in 1993 from LSU School of Nursing and served as President of her class. She began her second career as a nurse at Lakeside Hospital and retired in 2010 as the House Supervisor. She loved reading books, doing daily crossword puzzles in ink, sharing life lessons, gathering with her family, and she could weave the best animated stories of life. She will be remembered as a lady of grace, a lady of spunk, and a lady devoted to her children and grandchildren. She was a valued and loved teacher and a loyal caregiver. Betty has requested for this to be a celebration of her life, with everyone wearing a touch of red and a big smile on their face.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 12:00 noon at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 6425 West Metairie Avenue, Metairie, LA. Visitation is from 9:30 am until Mass time. Inurnment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Betty’s name to the Charity Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, 450 S. Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112 to help further the education of a deserving, second career nursing student.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Althea "Betty" Swanson, please visit our floral store.