Mary Lou Stephens Swift

Mary Lou Stephens Swift, 81, of Bloomington, died at home in the early morning hours of June 19, 2018.

A very loving and attentive wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she enjoyed the many friendships she acquired through raising her children, travel, collecting primitive American antiques and her many associations in the community. 

She spent the final days of her life accompanied by the family she nurtured and loved.

She was born on July 13, 1936, the daughter of Elmer and Elsie Mattheis Stephens in Anna.

As a child, she enjoyed riding, showing and caring for horses at their Union County farm. 

She was a member of the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School graduating class of 1954. She graduated from the Paducah, Ky., Beauty School in 1956.

She married Thomas Gilbert Swift on Sept. 2, 1957. 

Over their 60 years of marriage, they traveled the world together and lived in West Lafayette, Ind.; Lancaster, Pa.; Decatur; Singapore; Bangkok, Thailand; Barrington; Forsyth and Bloomington.

She was preceded in death by her parents; by brothers Elmer Eugene Stephens Jr. and Richard Stephens; and by her twin sister, Martha Sue Stephens Norton.

She is survived by her husband; two children: a daughter, Cynthia (Randall) Lorimor, of Carlock, and a son Craig (Rebecca) Swift of Austin, Texas; two grandsons, Barton (Jenette) Lorimor of Springfield and Mattheis (Emma) Lorimor of Princeton, N.J.; two great-granddaughters, Robin and Myra Lorimor of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.

She will be interred at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Calloway County, Ky., during an immediate family ceremony.

Memorials can be made to The Community Cancer Center in Normal and to Advocate-Bromenn Hospice in Bloomington.

Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences can be made to www.calvertmemorial.com.