BETTY SWAMP

AKWESASNE – After a courageous battle with brain cancer, Mrs. Betty Swamp, age 83, passed away Thursday afternoon, December 11, 2014 at the St. Regis Nursing Home.

Betty was born in Akwesasne on January 19, 1931, a twin daughter to George and Elizabeth Tarbell Ransom and attended schools in Akwesasne.  On November 17, 1951, she married Abraham Swamp at St. Regis Catholic Church in a double ceremony with her twin sister, Bessie.  Abraham predeceased her on February 28, 1995.

After her marriage, she worked in Buffalo as a seamstress before coming back to Akwesasne where she worked for a short time at Bombay and Shields Slipper Factory as well as Levi's in Cornwall.  She was a Wolf Clan member of the Mohawk Nation Longhouse and was very active in the activities of the Mohawk Nation.  Betty was a 30 year friend of AA and was also involved in the PICEI Group.  She was also active in the education of Native Culture.  She was a member of the Akwesasne Death Benefits Group and was one of the original cooks at the Akwesasne Mohawk School on Cornwall Island.    Betty was an avid clogger and line dancer, loved to play bingo, and enjoyed traveling the world with her young and elder friends. 

Betty is survived by her children, Mike and Lisa Swamp of Akwesasne and Lucy Roundpoint of Cornwall Island; a chosen daughter, Didi Rourke of Akwesasne; her grandchildren, Renee, Jason, Lindsay, Owen, Angela, Nolan, and Starlet; her great grandchildren, Trevor, Dalton, Karontawakon, Kanenhatironhtha, Houston, Peyton, Bowe, Halo, Tanisha, Montana, Owen Jr, Kimora, Ethan, Gianna, Kingston, and Preston; her great-great granddaughter, Willow Two Axe Roundpoint; her step grandchildren, Lauralee and Lorel; and her step great grandchildren, Jaylee, Bryli, Jacorey, Seykorah, Winston, Philomena, Loreal, and Ky.

She is also survived by her sisters, Cecelia Gadway, and her twin, Bessie Mitchell, both of Akwesasne; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Betty was predeceased by a sister, Mary Casey and 3 brothers, James, John, and Arthur Ransom.

Friends called beginning Saturday, December 13th at the Akwesasne Homemakers.  A funeral service was held Monday, December 15, 2014 at the Homemakers.  Cremation will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Akwesasne Cancer Support Group.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where condolences and memories may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.