Margaret "Maggie" Swim

Margaret “Maggie” Swim, 88, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away surrounded by her family on August 7, 2024.

She is survived by her four children, Janyce (Kevin), Kathy (Paul), Eddie (Sherrill), and Jerry (Darla); 21 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband William “Ed”, her parents, Ned and Jennie Pearl; her nine siblings, and her son David (Jodi).

Margaret was born June 23, 1936. She grew up the youngest of ten in Des Moines, Iowa where she married her husband, Ed, in 1953. They started their family young with Ed quickly sent to serve in the Navy, leaving her to navigate her first time away from home in San Diego, California. After Ed’s service, they settled in Des Moines and bought their home that would become a lively center for years and generations of family, friends and neighbors to whom she always welcomed unconditionally. Those who came into her life were always left with a lasting impression of her generosity and warmth.

Her life was full and busy with her five children and working in the kitchen for Des Moines Schools. Later she worked at Des Moines Feed and Garden where she painted garden statues so lovely that customers requested her by name. She developed a legendary talent for her sewing, painting and art. She made her daughters beautiful dresses that would have created envy in even the most fashion-conscious of the time. Later she sewed quilts and clothes for her grandchildren so often and so well that some of them began to assume that everything was made by “Grandma Margaret”.

Even as her family grew to over 50 grandchildren and great grandchildren, she always kept a close kinship with them: all of them being, in their own way, an extension of her warm Irish heart. Her sly humor, superstitions and sharp wit created a lively room wherever she went, and a comfort in her presence that is hard to describe.

Her unwavering faith in God, her courage, and her devotion to her family stayed with her to the end. Margaret was the very best parts of humanity, and will be so fondly remembered as a mother, wife and grandmother; friend, aunt and sister; and all of the grace and affection she so effortlessly gave.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, with a time of sharing beginning at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road, Des Moines. For those unable to attend in person, it will be livestreamed the day of the service through St. Anthony Catholic Church's website (click here). Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens after the funeral.

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