Obituaries

Obituary: Shirley Jean deSwarte (1935-2013)

The graphic artist and dog lover died at the age of 77.

Longtime Mountain View resident Shirley deSwarte died Tuesday, April 16, 2013. She was 77.

Born on Nov. 23, 1935 in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Pauline (Mucher) DeSwarte. She left the Chicago area to attend Miami University, where she completed her degree in Industrial Design at the Art Institute of Chicago.

deSwarte began her career as designer in the industrial design studio of Raymond Loewy and later worked for Hewlett-Packard. She retired as a graphics designer from Telesensory Systems, a manufacturer of products to aid people with low vision.

deSwarte was an active member of West Valley Dog Training Club since 1980, training and showing in obedience her beloved Pulik (Hungarian herding dogs) Angel and Dancer, then downsizing in later years with Rascal, a Havanese with the personality of a Puli. As she became less active she particularly enjoyed watching old movies and television shows from the 1960s.

deSwarte was quite open about having been adopted and she connected her many friends into a chosen family. Shirley is survived by sister-in-law, Phyllis, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; nephews, Jeffrey, of Bonsall, California, and Bradley (Mary), of Longmont, Colorado; niece, Diane Davis (Jeff) of Fall City, Washington; grandnieces, Molly and Brigid DeSwarte; and grandnephew, Harrison Davis. She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard DeSwarte. 

Memorials may be made to the Assistance Dog Institute, Santa Rosa, California; the Southwest Indian Children's Fund, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; the Southwest Indian Foundation, Gallup, New Mexico; or the charity of your choice.

Find out what's happening in Mountain Viewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This obituary has been provided courtesy of the Cusimano Family Colonial Mortuary.

More on Mountain View Patch:

Find out what's happening in Mountain Viewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Robert Smithwick Remembered as 'Capital F' Founder
  • Obituary: Miguel A. Velasco Jr. (1949-2013)
  • Erik Onorato's Life Celebrated a Year After His Death
  • Mountain View Death Notices: Mar. 5 to Mar. 27
  • Obituary: Eileen Mahoney Turner (1942-2013)

Don't miss a thing in Mountain View!

Follow on Twitter |  Like us on Facebook  |  Get the daily newsletter | Post to our calendar  | Share an announcement


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here