Helen Kay Swanson, age 85 of Cornelia GA, passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Born in Austin, Texas, she was the daughter of H.M. Stewart Sr. and Helen Stroud Stewart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Sabrina Kay Swanson.

Kay graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA and while there she met her husband Dean who was attending the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. They married in 1957 and reached their 64th wedding anniversary on the day of her passing. While Dean was in the US Airforce serving as a fighter pilot, they were stationed in various locations including Arizona, which they fell in love with and later returned to, sharing many fond memories with their family and friends. During their time with the Air Force, Kay began her full-time teaching career in a Quonset hut in the Philippines. Upon their return to Cornelia in 1964, she continued her teaching career in the Habersham County school system for many years. She later joined Standard Telephone Company, where she actively served in an executive role as Treasurer until 1999.

After her time at Standard Telephone Company, Kay continued her and her father’s encompassing passion to support the Northeast Georgia Community. Her love of God was expressed through her support and membership in the Cornelia United Methodist Church. Her belief in education led to generous support for the continued growth of Piedmont University and The University of North Georgia. She expressed her love for both the arts and the preservation of local history through the establishment of the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia.

She is survived by her husband, Dean C. Swanson of Cornelia; brother and sister-in-law, Howard Milton Stewart, Jr. and Carolyn Stewart of Vero Beach, Florida; son and daughter-in-law, Stewart and Carol Swanson of Alpharetta; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Leigh Swanson of Savannah; 6 loving grandchildren – Alex Mixon and Kaylee Grant, Janna Kay Swanson and Kelley Swanson, Sarah Deloach and Dean Wesley Swanson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be announced.

To celebrate Kay’s lifelong love of giving the family encourages you to make a donation in her memory to a charity of your choice or one of her favorites:

Cornelia United Methodist Church: P.O. Box 948, Cornelia, GA 30531
Circle of Hope: 592 N. Main Street, Cornelia, GA 30531
The Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia: P.O. Box 460, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
Piedmont University Foundation: P.O. Box 429, Demorest, GA 30535

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.

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