Rosemary ‘Marina’ Swamp

AKWESASNE - Mrs. Rosemary “Tekwanakwarita” Swamp, 69, of 78 Leo Swamp Road, passed away Thursday morning, May 7, 2009 at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg. She had been in failing health.

She was born July 2, 1939 in London, Ontario, the daughter of Simon and Viola Ninham Chrisjohn. She married David Leonard Swamp on January 21, 1961 at St. Regis Catholic Church.

She was a foster parent and sold AVON for many years. She worked at Head Start as a Tota to many and also worked at Billy’s Bingo, T.V.I., the Bombay Slipper Factory and at Crouse Irving Hospital in Syracuse, NY. She was a proud and well respected member of the Women’s Traditional Society in Akwesasne. She enjoyed going to the casino, playing bingo, going to garage sales, and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, David; by 3 sons and 2 daughters-in-law, Allan and Dolores, Akwesasne; John “Tony” and Kami, Groton, Connecticut; Steven Swamp, Cornwall; by 6 grandchildren, Shawn “Totons”, Jessica, Leon, Larry, Lacey, and Tehya and 2 great grandchildren, Brooklyn and Cannon; by a chosen son and daughter, Mike and Shawn Laughing, Akwesasne; and by 4 sisters and their husbands, Shirley and Dean George, and Sandra and Randy George, all of London, Ontario; Rebecca Chrisjohn, St. Thomas, Ontario; Sylvia Swamp, Akwesasne; a brother, Leonard Chrisjohn, Kamloops, British Columbia; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by a sister, Beulah Nichlas; and 3 brothers, Larry Mervin and Stan Chrisjohn.

Friends called at the Kanonsesneh Longhouse until the time of the service on Monday, May 11, 2009. Burial followed in the family cemetery.

Arrangements were with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.

Condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.