Obituary of Sadie Juanita Swinamer

March 23, 1931 – November 19, 2020 It is with great sadness that the family announce the passing of Sadie Juanita Swinamer on Thursday, November 19, 2020 in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor at the age of 89. She will be greatly missed by her children, Jeffrey (Carol), Juanita (Glenn) and Keith (Belinda); as well as her two grandchildren, Dante and Kaiden. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Charlene MacIntosh and Melvina Swinamer and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Sadie was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence; her parents, Kenneth and Lottie (Harvey) MacIntosh; her brother, Cecil “Buster”; her half-sister, Reta and a brother in infancy. Sadie began her career at the age of 17 as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Union Corner. She later met and married her husband, Lawrence and they both worked for Ira B. Lohnes. When they adopted their first child, she became a stay-at-home mom, except for working during the summer at the Dairy Treat in Three Mile Plains. Sadie also became involved with the local Cub pack and later became the leader “Brown Owl” of the local Brownie pack. Sadie returned to teaching and for the next 22 years, was a teaching assistant for special needs children, first at Three Mile Plains Elementary and then at Hants West Rural High. In addition to adopting their three children, she and Lawrence became foster parents for several children, including two with special needs. Sadie also became involved with St. John Ambulance and never one to do things in half measures, eventually became the Brigade leader. As part of the Brigade, she manned St. John Ambulance first aid posts for events around the area and was certified to teach first aid and to train others to teach first aid. In 1989, she was admitted to the Order of St. John as a Serving Sister and in 1992 was elevated to Officer of the Order of St. John. These honours were bestowed on her for her devoted service and leadership and were sanctioned by the Governor General of Canada in the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her life, Sadie loved music. She regularly participated in variety shows in the community and in later life, loved singing at jams in Three Mile Plains and Falmouth, sometimes playing her beloved Taylor guitar. She was also known to occasionally tell a dirty joke. Sadie loved her church. From a young age, she attended Juniper Grove United Church in Falmouth and her family joined her there. She sang in the choir, played in the handbell choir and was a member of the UCW and the Board of Stewards and Trustees. When Juniper Grove amalgamated with St. James in Hantsport to become Avon United, she embraced the change and continued to sing, play and volunteer, most recently as a member of Session. Despite experiencing numerous health issues during the pandemic, she continued to have faith and loved watching the online services with her daughter. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert Street, Windsor (902-798-8317). A private, invite only, celebration of Sadie’s life will be held in Avon United Church, Hantsport, Rev. Bill Gibson officiating. A public committal will be held Saturday, September 25 at 3:00 p.m., in Centre Falmouth Cemetery, Town Rd., Falmouth. Masks and physical distancing must be respected. To send messages of condolence to the family please visit: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.