Obituary of Noel Willard Swan

AIKEN, SC – Noel Willard Swan, age 78, entered into Eternal Rest Saturday, May 30, 2021. 

In the 78 years Noel Swan lived, he was best known for his love of family, his kind gentle nature and, last but not least, his twinkling, mischievous eyes.  Noel will forever be remembered for his funny stories and jokes.  If you met him, you would walk away with a smile.

Noel was born December 29, 1942, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to the late Reverend Joseph and Margaret (Tuft) Swan.  Noel spent his early years in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.  He proudly served with the US Army in South Korea.  After military service, Noel attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, in Madison, New Jersey, graduating with a degree in Business Administration. 

Early in his career, he served as a hospital administrator at Union Hospital, Union, NJ.  Noel continued on in the healthcare industry for the rest of his professional life to form a network of healthcare facilities in NJ; Berkeley Hall Nursing Home, Berkeley Heights, Valley View for Seniors, Sparta, and Valley View Care Center, Newton.  Noel proudly served with caring oversight of the healthcare facilities he owned.

Fifteen years ago, he and his wife, Linda, retired to Woodside Plantation, a golf community in Aiken, South Carolina, where they became Founding Members of The Reserve Club.  Having a fondness and passion for golf, they enjoyed many days on their back porch overlooking the 7^th fairway.

When looking back on his life, Noel always realized that the most wonderful gifts he had been given were his daughters…he felt they had given his life purpose.  They may be assured that he will always be watching over them.

When Noel couldn’t be found at home with a good book or the WSJ, it was because he was out enjoying one of his many interests.  He might be playing a round of golf where he was known by his golfing buddies for his Ernie Els’, the “Big Easy”, golf swing.  His golf handicap (which was impressive) never rivaled Ernie’s; as could be surmised by the many putters lined up along the garage wall.  Of course, it was always the putters that didn’t work.

Another place Noel might be spotted was with Linda on one of their frequent cruises that took them to the far corners of the world.  His zeal for adventure and knowledge led him to hiking to the top of Machu Picchu to float in the clouds of the Andes, sky diving out of an airplane, and climbing inside the pyramids in Egypt.

With the roots formed in his childhood home, Noel continued to be a God-loving man.  He served on the board of Christian Home for Children, Jersey City, NJ, and was active in his church wherever he lived; serving on Church Boards or teaching Bible Studies to children.  He was a humble man who served his Lord.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 22 years, Linda Swan; a blended family of four daughters, Noelle Swan Little (Trevor), Newton, New Jersey, Jennifer Swan, Phoenix, Arizona, Heather Swan Veazey (Jack), Reading, Massachusetts, and Carly Dibben, Columbia, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Destiny, Charlotte, Jacob, Shay, Brody, Charles, Luke, Emilia, Gavin, and Joseph; two sisters, Eunice Ulshafer, Maplewood, Minnesota, and Carolyn Trontvet (Ronald), Thief River Falls, Minnesota; and a brother Reverend Dr. Calvin Swan (Susan), Ames, Iowa. 

A Memorial Service for family and close friends will be held at Newton Country Club, Newton, NJ, with Reverend Doctor Calvin Swan presiding, on Saturday, June 26, 2021. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimers Association (act.alz.org) or CanHope, Aiken Regional Medical Centers (canhope.life), a non-profit cancer support service that serves in the Aiken area.

The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.