Joyce Swingendorf

Our beloved Joyce Swingendorf, of Missoula, passed away unexpectedly at her home on February 22, 2014, at the age of 78.
Joyce's numerous friends are a testament to her gregarious, fun loving personality. She was a beam of sunshine who brightened our day with her sparkly blue eyes, broad smile and infectious laugh. Joyce had a zest for life and lived with passion, enthusiasm and curiosity.
She was born in South Bend, Indiana on May 16, 1935, the second child of Frederick P. and Helene Mae (Krillenberger) Swingendorf. In 1953, she was accepted into Mayo Clinic's St. Mary's School of Nursing. Joyce was grateful for the years at the Mayo Clinic, as they opened opportunities for her. As a registered nurse, she worked in neurosurgery, psychiatry and general surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital and Memorial Hospital in Indiana.
In 1953, she married Dr. William Cimino. They were together for 15 years and had two sons, William and Michael. The family moved to Missoula in 1961 and built a home in Pattee Canyon.
Joyce's second home was St. Patrick Hospital, where she worked for over 20 years as a trauma nurse in the Emergency Room and for Life Flight. She married Dr. Duane Olson in 1984 and they spent 26 wonderful years together, riding horses, hunting, taking wilderness trips, skiing and loving their dogs. An avid art collector, Joyce was a board member and treasurer of the Missoula Museum of the Arts for many years.
Joyce was the quintessential mother, not only to her two sons, who were the lights of her life, but to all their friends who continually gathered in her welcoming home. Her oldest son, Dr. William Cimino is the founder and CEO of Sound Surgical Technologies Inc. Michael Cimino is the principal at Jefferson Middle School in Olympia, WA.
After retiring from St. Patrick Hospital in 1995, Joyce was active in her church and spent several years as a compassionate caregiver to many Missoula seniors.
Joyce deeply touched the lives of so many and it would be impossible to find a more loyal, loving, generous and devoted friend. She always saw the good in people and was an incredible mentor and inspiration. Second only to her gift of friendship was her gift of delectable baked goods, especially her fresh fruit pies.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mary and her husband Dr. Duane Olson. She is survived by her sons William (Colleen Dailey) of Louisville, CO and Michael of Olympia, WA, along with grandsons Michael and Stephen of Louisville, CO. She is also survived by her brother Frederick of South Bend, IN.
On May 10, 2014, the family will host a Celebration of Life in honor of Joyce, as she requested no funeral services. Further details will be forthcoming. Friends are preparing a remembrance notebook for the family and if you would like to include your favorite memory of Joyce, please send it to Noreen Mangan McCormack, P.O. Box 75701, Seattle, WA. 98175 or email nmccormack@entercom.com.
Joyce described her time on this earth as, "My life has been like a quilt sewn with loving hands. Put all the pieces together and it makes one happy life. No matter what happened, God took care of me – one piece at a time." We love and miss you Joyce. Until we meet again, may God bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand.


Read Joyce Swingendorf's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.