March 2, 1930 – April 23, 2025
Gently, embraced by the love of family, our beloved Rosa slipped away April 23rd at Cowichan District Hospital in Duncan.
Rosa Irene Dirom was born in Duncan on March 2, 1930, the eldest child of Albert and May Dirom. She took her nursing training at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Victoria, graduating in 1951, and the following year she met the love of her life, Richard Alan Churchill Swan, when Al was assigned to the hospital by the University Naval Training Division the summer before his final year of medical school at Queen’s University. That fall, she moved to Kingston, Ontario, nursing at the women’s mental hospital. They married the week after Al graduated, and they headed west. During Al’s internship year, they both worked at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. In November 1954, they moved upcoast to Pender Harbour, to St. Mary’s Hospital, built by the Columbia Coast Mission. Rosa managed the homefront in the doctor’s cottage next door, busy years as Eleanor, Martin and Trevor were born.
In October 1959, the family moved to the West Sechelt house that was to be home for almost fifty years. Rosa became the first president of the Sechelt branch of the Hospital Auxiliary, and St. Mary’s Hospital itself relocated to Sechelt in 1964. When Al was accepted for the first year of surgical residency in the teaching hospital system in Honolulu in 1962, the ever-adaptable Rosa, with her brand-new rural driver’s license, became a city freeway driver in a 1956 VW Beetle. She took a Chinese cooking course that resulted in many delicious family meals over the years; “I feel a Chinese dinner in me,” she would say, and days would be spent in preparation. She enjoyed knitting and sewing for herself, family, and friends, and, in 1968/69, when Al’s second year of surgical residency took the family back to Honolulu, she added “barber” for Al and the boys to her skills list. During high school, Duane Anderson, close friend of Trevor and Martin for many years, joined the family.
When they became “empty nesters”, Al and Rosa worked with Medical Services, traveling regularly from 1976 to 1980 to remote villages in northern BC - often in winter conditions, reinforcing Rosa’s intense dislike for snow - and then throughout BC and the Yukon to rural communities where Al was a relief physician. Rosa was part of the organizing energy for treasured reunions of her St. Jo’s 1951 Class, held with increasing frequency as the years passed.
During their many active years together, Rosa and Al enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and exploring the coast in their boat, Manulele, for 41 years. They camped and hiked, RVing extensively throughout BC and beyond. As Al’s health issues developed in his latter years, in October 2007 they left Sechelt for Duncan. Interested in genealogy, Rosa focussed on the Swan family history that Al had begun before online research tools. They were able to be together in their comfortable home until Al entered Cerwydden Care Centre in May 2010, passing away in June 2011.
Rosa continued on her own, welcoming family and friends to happy gatherings around the dining table. In 2012 she was thrilled to legally adopt Duane. With her limitless love, she joyously embraced each new addition to her multi-generational family as life partners were chosen and little ones arrived. She enjoyed connecting with family and friends near and far by telephone and laptop. Rosa frequently took the floatplane across to Sechelt for time with family and friends in the community that had been her home for so many years. A passionate gardener, she was happiest when “playing in the dirt”. She was an active member of the Heart & Stroke walking group for several years. Determinedly independent, she greatly appreciated the efforts of those who helped her to maintain her home and yard.
After a life of remarkable health and energy, within the week following her 95th birthday, Rosa was admitted to hospital - for the first time since her appendectomy in 1963! - with a sudden severe infection. She was never in any pain, and over the next six weeks the infection resolved, with improvement each day. Her positivity persisted; to her medical team, and to her many visitors, she spoke of a general sense of well-being, of being content with however things might unfold. Things were positive until they weren’t; a new infection appeared and she passed within a handful of days.
Granted the grace of longevity, Rosa had faced the loss of family and lifelong friends, holding them close in her thoughts and in her heart, sharing their stories. Her home was full of photos of the many people who were part of her network of love - of beloved family, especially of Al throughout the years, and treasured friends. She had a copy of Al’s book with her in hospital, so all were able to see her photos as a nurse, a bride, a mom, a grandmother…. Sales of Housecalls By Floatplane must have jumped in March and April!
Rosa’s love and caring, practical positivity, and adaptability to each new challenge were amazing gifts, and will continue to inspire the many lives she touched. We have been so privileged to be part of her life’s journey. Her shining presence enriched us all, and she will be missed beyond measure.
Predeceased by Al, her cherished husband of 58 years, and her beloved grandchildren, Hanna and Gavin, Rosa leaves to mourn an extended family who loved her dearly: her daughter, Eleanor (Ken), sons, Martin (Jan), Duane (Mona), and Trevor (Susan), her grandchildren, Kreg (Jo-Ann), Shari (Alan), Angela (Chris), Cassie (Ryan), Cameron, Nicola (Ben), Emily (Brodie), Evan (Jenny), and Derek (Morgan), fourteen great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren, her sister, Eleanor, and brothers Ian (Eleanor) and Neil (Norma), brother-cousins Robert (Sandy) and John (Nora), Al’s sister, Anne, and his cousin, Paul (Louise), as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff of Cowichan District Hospital for devoted care in Rosa’s last weeks.
No service by Rosa’s request. When you encounter a glorious garden, full of beauty and promise, think of Rosa, of her bright smile, warm hugs, welcoming heart and the loving light she brought to us all.
Online condolences at www.hwwallacecbc.com
