Mary Diane “Diane” Swindell, age 79, died on May 10, 2023, at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital.
Diane was born on Aug. 27, 1943, in Ridgefield, Washington, and was raised by her father, Edward Owen Krebser, and mother Mary Alma Krebser, who were long-time residents of Ridgefield. Diane attended the old Pioneer School off of 259th Street in Ridgefield in her youth, and then from there, onto Ridgefield High School. In 1959, she met the love of her life, Chris Russell Swindell, (who she later married in 1962) just shortly after both of them graduated. Chris and Diane continued to reside in Ridgefield for the remainder of their lifetimes where they raised their family and became entrenched in service to their community.
Diane had many lifelong friends who grew up together in Ridgefield and with whom she continued contact throughout her lifetime. Diane worked as a teller at First Independent Bank for many years and was also instrumental in the success of Chris’s cabinet making, trim work and home building business, S&R Wood Products. Diane loved craftwork, baking, gardening, reading, shopping, decorating for the holidays, traveling and most of all, spending time with her family.
Diane was preceded in death by Chris, to whom she was married to for 53 years. She is survived by three sons, Edward Swindell of Vancouver, Washington, Scott (wife Lisa) Swindell of Brush Prairie, Washington and Matthew (wife Leslie) Swindell of Ridgefield, Washington; 10 grandchildren: (from Scott) Stephanie, Megan and Emily; (from Matthew) Ashley, Andrew, Asher and Allison; (from Edward) Tyler, Lily and Violet; and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside, family members only, ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the St. Mary of Guadalupe Parish in Ridgefield, Washington, which will immediately be followed by a noon celebration of life event at Diane’s home in Ridgefield. Food and drinks will be served.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, if anyone would like to commemorate Diane’s life, that you please make donations to, and for the benefit of maintaining, the St. Mary of Guadalupe Cemetery in Ridgefield, Washington where a significant number of Diane’s family members have been interred over the last century.
