Helena Diane McLelan Swink died on September 18, 2005.
Diane was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on April 14, 1936 where she was raised by wonderful adoptive parents, Helena Mary McLelan and Thomas Gregor McLelan.
She is survived by her husband, Hunter Swink of Signal Mountain, TN and her birth mother, Isabel Stahl of West Vancouver, B.C.; sons, Gregory Edward Mirhej (Melissa) of Springfield, MA, and Dr. Michael Andrew Mirhej (Lisa) of Eugene, OR; step-children, Steven H. Swink (Sheila) of Ooltewah, TN, Thomas H. Swink (Libby) of Mt. Juliet, TN, Michael B. Swink (Terry) of Cookeville, TN, and Katherine A. Swink of Decatur, GA; and six grandchildren, Drew Swink, Thomas Swink, Jr., Miles Mirhej, Maxwell Mirhej, Ella Mirhej, and Grace Helena Mirhej.
She is also survived by many loving friends in both the community and in Wayside Presbyterian Church where she was a member and sang in the choir.
Diane moved to Signal Mountain in 1966 and taught piano for 39 years. It was the joy of her life to share her love of music, particularly that of J. S. Bach, her favorite composer. She also sang with the Theater Under the Stars in Vancouver, The Signal Mountain Glee Club and in the Chattanooga Choral Arts Society for a number of years.
She fought a courageous five-year battle with cancer. She and her family appreciate Dr. Charles A. Portera, Sr., his staff and the staff of Memorial Hospital’s Outpatient Infusion Center for their competent and compassionate care during this time.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Wayside Presbyterian Church’s World Missions Program, Bethel Bible Village, or the American Cancer Society. To honor her memory, in keeping with her style, you can give someone a warm smile, pay them a sincere compliment and perform an act of kindness thus making this world a better place.
The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Tuesday, from 2–4 p.m. and 6-8 pm.
The funeral will be Wednesday, at 11 a.m. at the North Chapel, Chattanooga Funeral Home, followed by burial in Chattanooga Memorial Park. Pastor Marshall St. John will conduct the services.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel.