Sydna Swenson

Sydna Mason Swenson, 77, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on August 12, 2017 at her home in Sandy, Utah after a long, courageous battle with Congestive Heart Failure and Diabetes. The fact that she lived almost 17 years after undergoing 7 bypasses on her heart speaks volumes for her strength and stubborn personality.  She lived life on her terms and this was just one example!

She was born on April 26, 1940 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Dr. Merlin C. and Arlene Orcutt Mason.  Sydna grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah but traveled by train to Lincoln every summer to stay with her Grandma Pauline and Aunt Dorothy on their farm, where she loved riding her horse, Queen.

She graduated from East High and attended the University of Utah where she pledged Delta Delta Delta Sorority and, most importantly, met the love of her life, Richard Isaac Swenson.  They were married Sept. 9, 1961 and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Feb. 4, 1984 in a joint sealing ceremony with their daughter Julie and her eternal companion, Craig.  This September would have marked their 56 years of marriage.

Through the years Sydna and Dick moved across the country following his career with PPG.  Their Daughter Shauna was born in Salt Lake City, Julie came along in Burlingame, California and Melinda arrived in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.  In 1977 they returned home to Salt Lake and their family grew: Shauna (David) VanderMeide, Julie (Craig) Christensen, and Melinda (Eric) Heath; 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren (once the newest great-granddaughter, who is spending time with Great-Grandma in Paradise until she arrives on earth later this month.)  It was clear to all who knew her that family was everything to her.

Sydna loved to travel, with Cruises and tropical locations topping her list.  She loved the sun, the sand and water and leaves behind a legacy of beach lovers.  She enjoyed reading and crafts of all types including scrapbooking with her daughters and granddaughters.  She excelled at cooking and shopping (which she also taught her granddaughters a little too well!)

Recognizing how blessed she and her family were, Sydna led a life of service, volunteering for many years with Make-a-Wish foundation, granting wishes for terminally ill children.  She also volunteered her time with Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange, which eventually blessed all of our lives with the addition of James to Shauna and David's family.  She organized many Sub-for-Santas that blessed our family as much as those we served.  She served in many callings within the LDS church, some even before her own conversion and baptism!

She will be in our hearts every day until we meet again in Paradise.  For now, we take comfort in knowing she has rejoined her many family members including her Mother, Father, and brother Rick, as well as her grandson Zachary.  We can only imagine the joy of this reunion and celebrate her life and the legacy she leaves behind.

Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the Buttercup Chapel, 1600 E. Buttercup Drive (10200 South), Sandy. Visitations will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Anderson & Goff Mortuary, 11859 South 700 East, Draper, and again from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, at the church. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah.