Pat Besson Swan (1936 – 2024) of Lilburn, passed away March 26, 2024, surrounded by her daughters. She died at Northside Gwinnett Hospital after complications from a fall following a fight with leukemia. She was energetic and independent until her last day.
Swan
Throughout her life Pat was unselfishly committed to improving the lives of women and children, especially through health services and education. This resonated in her professional work and in her volunteer activity.
Pat had healing in her hands and heart. She worked as a registered nurse throughout her life, maintaining her nursing license even through retirement. She began her nursing career in the OB/GYN department at Talmadge Memorial Hospital in Augusta. Starting in the 1970s, after a break to raise her children, she worked for over 25 years as an RN in Intermediate ICU at Northside Hospital in Atlanta.
Although she loved being a nurse, her passion was in her volunteer work. For 57 years, Pat was a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Her lifelong service found her in positions at all levels. She served as president of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Club, and Southern Region president of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
She was instrumental in the DeKalb Junior Women’s Club starting a program which later became the statewide, nonpartisan, non-profit organization called Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, on whose board she continued to serve for many years. She volunteered for many years at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. Her favorite task was decorating the Lodge for Christmas.
Whenever asked, she stepped up. Her voice advocated throughout the community and even in the state Capitol. She sat on multiple advisory boards, including Gwinnett Senior Leadership, the Cancer Auxiliary, Gwinnett Department of Family and Children, and the Hutchens Art Center.
Pat’s friends often described her as funny, smiling, and full of life. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority for over 50 years, a source of many lifelong friendships.
When she was not helping others, she was cheering on her favorite teams – the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs. In those moments when she did rest, she enjoyed being in and around the water, whether poolside or at the beach with the sand between her toes.
Pat grew up in Louisiana, the second child of six. She attended Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, where she received her nursing degree. Soon after graduation she married Jerry Swan, who always said, “She was the prettiest girl I ever saw, and she still is.”
Pat leaves behind many friends and family who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Jerry L. Swan, Sr.; her two sons, Jerry Swan, Jr., and Bryan Swan; and brother Clyde Besson and sister Florence Foreman. She is survived by her two daughters and two beloved grandsons: daughter Shannon Swan Sapp of Destin, Fla., and her son Taylor Sapp, and daughter Dr. Deanne W. Swan of Springfield, Va., and her son Linus Gagne; and by three sisters: Juanita Massey, Mabel Case, and Gladys Sims.
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Church on Main in Snellville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to one of the organizations that were close to her heart: ACS Hope Lodge in Decatur; her state or local women’s clubs – Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs (GaFWC) or Lilburn Women’s Club; or Health Mothers Health Babies Coalition of Georgia.
Arrangements by Bill Head Funeral Home and Crematory Lilburn/Tucker Chapel.
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