Mary Lou Swan

Mary Lou Swan, 81, of Cape Girardeau, passed away Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Jan. 16, 1931, in Kaskaskia, Ill., to John F. and Gertrude McLain Graff. She and Kenneth Swan were married Jan. 24, 1949, in Cape Girardeau.

Mary Lou was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She thoroughly enjoyed caring for her grandchildren, too.

She did volunteer work at the old Saint Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, and was a former member of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 63 years, Kenneth Swan of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Linda L. Westbrook; a son, Gerald "Jerry" Swan and his girlfriend, Janet L. Myers, both of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren, Thomas (Sherry) Westbrook Jr., Sean Westbrook, Kenny Westbrook, Joey Swan, Alex Swan and Peyton Swan; three great-grandchildren, Ashley, Josh and Olivia Westbrook; three brothers, Kenneth Gibbar of Jackson, Leon Gibbar of Cape Girardeau and Ray Gibbar of Scott City; and a sister, Dolores Gibbar of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Graff; mother and stepfather, Gertrude and Lemie J. Gibbar; eight brothers; and two sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. The rosary will immediately follow, led by St. Vincent Knights of Columbus Council No. 1111.

Funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, with Father David Hulshof officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.