Beverly W. Mcswain

BEVERLY W. McSwain, (83), Long-Term Wilton Resident

Beverly W. McSwain of Wilton (83), beloved wife of David McSwain, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Ridge Crest in Redding CT. She lived a long, happy and loving life. Beverly’s bright, bubbly and charismatic personality was well known and she could light up any room. She was a social butterfly, enjoyed meeting new people and engaging in conversation. She had an amazing ability to put people at ease and became friends with everyone with whom she came in contact.

Beverly was born on July 14, 1939 to the late Jefferson D. Whitesides and Martha Vaughan Whitesides of Charlotte, NC where she grew up. She received a B.A. in Primary Education from UNC in 1961, with honors for academic and leadership performance. She married David C. McSwain, her high school sweetheart, in December, 1960 and spent 2 ½ years with him in Boston as he graduated from Harvard College and then the Harvard Business School.

After Boston, they were in CA for 2 ½ years where Dave served as an officer in the Air Force and Beverly as a Primary Education teacher, plus being active in the Officers Wives Club. Their first son, Chris, was born while in CA. During their long life together, Dave’s post-Air Force career took them to various places around the country, first to Cincinnati for 8 ½ years when he was with Procter & Gamble. While there, Beverly taught Nursery School and was Director for various church education programs. Their daughter, Julie, and son, Jeff, were born in Ohio.

They spent the following two years in Wilton when Dave worked for Glendinning Associates and then spent seven years in the Chicago suburb of Lake Forest when Dave was with Abbott Laboratories and Sara Lee. Beverly was very active in the community during their time in Lake Forest having been on the Board of Newcomers, the Chairman of the Gourmet Club and was active in the Wine Club. Beverly was also involved in her local church, where she taught Sunday School and was on the church board.

She and her family returned to Wilton in 1983 where Beverly spent 40 years in a house that became her special home. Along with raising her family, she continued being active in the Wilton Newcomers Club plus various church educational programs. She enjoyed the Gourmet Club and found great joy in cooking.  After Dave retired in 2005, they spent their days together traveling around the state and antiquing at outdoor fairs, seeking finds for her extensive antique baby shoe collection. She and Dave, being lifelong dog lovers, had many beloved family dogs. They loved Nicky, a Bichon Frise, who was a loving companion for 12 years, after the passing of Button, also a Bichon, for 15 years. They also loved the deer and other wildlife around Wilton.

Beverly was a very dedicated flower gardener and was known for spending hours every day in season working in her beautiful garden. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time creating beautiful flower arrangements, something she did well into her early 80’s. She was a big bird lover as well, managing and maintaining several feeders for over 25 years.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, David C. McSwain. She and her husband remained best and loving friends all her life.

She is also survived by her daughter Julie Lutz of Sandy, Utah, her son Jeff McSwain of Wilton, her granddaughter, Stephanie Lutz of Altoona, PA, and her three sisters Joyce Jowaisas of Skaneateles, NY, Carole Battiato of Franklin, TN, and Vicki Lloyd of Irvine, CA. She was predeceased by her older son, David Christopher McSwain.

Burial will be private. Donations may be made to Save the Children.