Carolyn Swain Palmer

Carolyn Treva Swain Palmer peacefully passed away August 21, 2020 in Albuquerque, NM. Carolyn was born January 10, 1934, on a ranch near Mountainair, NM to Daniel and Lua Kloss. She fondly recalled her time living on this ranch and it certainly shaped her future life of a caring nature and hard work. She also spent her youth on a ranch near Stanley, NM. She graduated from Albuquerque High School. She entered the University of New Mexico to study Home Economics and worked for the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association while going to school. It was there she met Danny Robert Swain. They were married July 10, 1954. Together they were sole proprietors of R. M. Swain and Son general contractors. Carolyn’s college career slowed as they raised their family of four kids. During this time, in addition to caring for the family, she supported the family by creating her own business selling beauty products. Through all of the family support, she continued taking classes towards her degree at UNM. One of her and the family’s proudest moments came in 1980 when she graduated from UNM with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics, joining her son Doug as he graduated with his degree from UNM and her daughter Janet, graduating from Valley High School.

Carolyn spent much of her life dedicated to others. She was a dedicated volunteer at Central United Methodist Church, spending much of her time assisting the Thrift Shop that supported the church functions. She was also a valued voice in the Chancel Choir for many years. She also served the Phillips Chapel Day Care and cooked many pies for the Asbury Café at the NM State Fair. She worked for many years in the home health care arena as a care giver for those in need. This was a calling she especially enjoyed.

Danny passed away in 1991. Carolyn continued her dedication to service and caring for others. Her family was also her primary focus as always. A few years later, she became reacquainted with a grade school friend, Dan Palmer, whom she knew from her youth in Corrales, NM. They began a courtship that culminated in marriage in June 1993. Together, they continued both legacies of service and hard work. Danny and Carolyn had purchased property in the East Mountain area and had planned to build their dream home. Dan and Carolyn started a new dream together and built their dream home on that same property. She absolutely loved being at home and often said it was closer to Albuquerque and all of her activities than living in the middle of the city, and so much more peaceful. Their home was a central point for entertainment and family gatherings. Traditions were continued and family memories were created.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, sister Margaret Law, her sister Elaine Christie, her sister Ann More, her husband of nearly 37 years Danny Robert Swain, and her son Boyd Swain.

She is survived by her husband of 27 years Dan Palmer of the family home, her son Doug Swain and wife Susan of Cartersville, Georgia; her daughter Cathy Swain of Albuquerque, NM; her daughter Janet Witte and husband Jeff of Las Cruces, NM. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she beamed at the mention of their names and the many visits over the years. Her grandchildren are StevenScott Swain and wife Leslie of Pearland, TX; Brian Swain and wife Sarah of Cartersville, GA; Danny Swain and wife Alyssa of Santa Fe, NM; Jeremy Witte and fiancé Sage Peterson of Washington, DC, and her granddaughter Jennifer Witte of Las Cruces, NM. And if her grandkids were the light of her life, her great grandkids put her over the moon. They are Brayden and Kaleigh Grace Swain from Pearland, TX and Addyson Swain from Cartersville, GA. She is also survived by her brother Danny Kloss and his wife Carol from Lemitar, NM who she loved spending time with at the farm and playing practical jokes on each other. She was also fond of her nieces and nephews which include Karen Austin, Tracey Kramme, Scott Christie, Bob Law and their respective families.

Carolyn had a great relationship with her extended family through her marriage with Dan Palmer. Surviving her are Suzanne Suzuki, Alan Mark Palmer and Sonja Barrera and their families.

Carolyn lived life to the fullest and was happiest taking care of others, being at her mountain property, tending to her many plants, caring for any stray cat that happened through the area, enjoying her dogs, and fixing her special family tradition meals. She especially loved participating in the Central United Methodist Church Partnership Sunday School Class, where she had many longtime friends who were considered family. She was certainly an angel on earth and earned her wings many times over. This side of heaven is far better for the service to mankind that Carolyn gave and many will miss her.

Due to current health related restrictions and to safeguard the health of family and friends, the family will conduct a memorial service at a later date when we can all gather to celebrate the life of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, aunt, sister, cousin and friend.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Brookdale Tramway Ridge for their dedicated care and compassion in taking care of Carolyn. They made sure family always had a way to connect during these times of isolation and truly put family first.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be given to Central United Methodist Music Fund.