Lora Lee Duncan Swetnam was born Dec. 3, 1925, in St. Francis, Kan. She was the youngest of 10 children born to Edward E. Duncan and Lettie Ellen Speed Duncan. Lee died April 11, 2003, at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville from complications associated with multiple myeloma — cancer of the bone marrow.

Lee grew up in St. Francis, Kan., and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1943, and from St. Mary School of Nursing in Manhattan, Kan., in 1947. She began her nursing career at Community Hospital in Yuma, Colo., and continued to work in surgical or office nursing on and off until 1986. Lora Lee also worked at Boulder Community Hospital and the office of doctors Duhon and Wolfe in Boulder, Colo.; Billings Community Hospital and the office of Dr. Harold McIntyre in Billings, Mont.; and the offices of doctors Wilson, Brownsberger and Wilt at College Village Clinic in Anchorage, Alaska.

Lee met Robert I. Swetnam on July 31, 1947. They were married Dec. 28, 1947, at Yuma Methodist Church in Yuma, Colo. They made their first home in Boulder while Bob attended the University of Colorado Law School. Lee often joked that she earned her “P.H.T. Degree” (Putting Hubby Through) during those years until his graduation and his career-long employment with the Phillips Petroleum Company. Lee was always a supportive helpmate to Bob, opening their home and entertaining business associates frequently.

They made the first of many Phillips-related job transfers to Billings, Mont., in 1952, followed by a move to Bartlesville, Okla., in 1960; Indiana, Pa., in 1963 and finally to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1964. Lee and Bob made their home in Anchorage until Bob’s retirement in 1985. They built and settled into their home in the Greenbank area of Whidbey Island in 1986, overlooking the shipping lanes and Port Townsend. Lee maintained a very active retirement until Sept. 2000, when her multiple myeloma was diagnosed.

Lee and Bob raised three daughters, Judy, Jane and Jean, and have been blessed by many grandchildren, a wonderful church family and many dear friends everywhere they lived. Lee’s profession may have been nursing, but her primary occupation and first love was always her family.

She was active in Eastern Star, PTA, League of Women Voters, held various offices for P.E.O. Chapter K, Anchorage, and was a past president of Chapter IF, Freeland. She was an honorary life member of the Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She served as an elder and sang in the choir of Whidbey Presbyterian Church. Lee loved gardening, bowling, sewing, quilting and knitting. She created everything from items for church mission work and bazaars to clothing, doll clothes, and her daughters’ wedding gowns. In addition, she sewed handmade quilts for each of her children, grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Lora Lee’s heart’s desire was for her family and loved ones to know and to live in the hope of the resurrected Christ. She found great joy in helping others and giving without expecting anything in return. She had a great sense of humor and loved to reminisce about escapades she shared with her brothers, sisters and friends.

Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Lettie Duncan; three sisters, Vivian Amack, Ruth Glaser and Edythe Baker; three brothers, Clifford, Edward and Dale Duncan. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bob Swetnam of Greenbank, and three daughters, Judy (and Robert) Adeline of Mount Vernon, Jane (and Mark) Chapman of Wenatchee and Jean Maloney of Anchorage, Alaska. She also leaves 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brother Glenn Duncan of Tyndall, S.D.. and sisters, Verda Small of St. Francis, Kan. and Doris Dallon of Bristol, Conn., as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be held to honor Lee on Saturday, April 19, at 2 p.m. at Whidbey Presbyterian Church with Pastor David Templin officiating. Cremation was by Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor.

Lora Lee requested no flowers and asked that donations be made to Whidbey Presbyterian Church Music Fund, 1148 SE 8th Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277, or to American Cancer Society.