Donna Kay (Worley) Swanson

Donna Kay Worley Swanson, 83, of Williamsport, Indiana, went to be with the Lord a 8:50 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Ascension St. Vincent Williamsport.

Donna was born on February 22, 1938 in Danville, Illinois to John and Ruth O. Worley. She graduated from Williamsport High School in 1956 and married her sweetheart, John Swanson, on June 10, 1956 at West Lebanon Christian Church.  Donna loved her community and was active in the Williamsport Christian Church and would regularly give of her time to surrounding nursing homes where she would sing and play guitar and share joy with the residents. She taught Sunday school for many years and was an avid Bible scholar with a heart for sharing the love of Jesus with everyone.

Donna authored nine books during her lifetime, including Mindsong, which was published by The Upper Room, and Minnie Remembers, which continues to receive national acclaim both as a poem and as a film. Its poignant portrait of an elderly woman looking back on the progression of life with its joys and its sorrows continues to touch the lives of all who read it. Donna was as avid a sculptor as she was a poet and a writer. She carved exquisite horses and carousels, some of which are life-size. They remain with collectors, friends, and family around the world as a reminder of the creative soul who rendered them.

Donna is preceded in death by her son, John McCord Swanson Jr. (Mac) and seven siblings: Janet Cantwell (Charles), Jackie Booth (Jim), Philip Worley (Lois), Gladys Heintz (Harvey), Lois Reynolds, Mary Worley, Dean Worley (Lea). 

Donna is survived by her husband of 65 years, John McCord Swanson; 3 daughters: Melynda Leak and husband, Jim of Williamsport, IN, Melyssa Leak and husband Mike, of Ambia, IN, Melanie Swanson of Lafayette, IN and a daughter-in-law, Shelby Cox, and husband Bill of Lafayette, IN; 6 grandchildren: Zachary Swanson, Kimberly Leak, Leslie (Gosling) & David Leak, Jacob & Adam Swanson, and 2 great grandchildren: Levi Swanson and Chloé Gosling.

Visitation will be at Williamsport Christian Church from noon until service time at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021 with Ministers Jesse Stoner and Brenda McIntosh.  The funeral will be live streamed, go to YouTube and search Williamsport Christian Church.  Interment will follow at Chenoweth Cemetery near the old Warren County Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Williamsport Christian Church, the Warren County Community Foundation A Better Way Food Co-op, or Autumn Trace in Donna Swanson’s name.