Corinne Z. Swiren's Obituary
Corinne Zelson Swiren
(October 4, 1929 – June 25, 2025)
After ten years of going solo, Corinne (“Corky”) Swiren has been re-united in eternal peace with Julian, the love of her life and husband of 65 years. No doubt, after a short pause to bask in each other’s warmth and love, the two of them will pick up where they left off and once again travel around not just this world, but now the Universe and beyond.
It was Corky’s love for people, history, nature, culture, and exploration that made her so well-loved by family, friends, students, aides, and everyone else who met her and had the opportunity to spend time chatting with her and hearing her stories.
The youngest (and only daughter) of 3 siblings, Corky displayed an interest in people and cultures at an early age. At 17, she spent the summer with her Uncle Louis in Mexico City, immersively learning Spanish - - with the goal of becoming a Spanish teacher. She then attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education.
It was at Penn that Corky met and fell in love with Julian, whom she married in 1950 at age 20. After working tirelessly as a teacher for 7 years, she and Julian bought a home and started a family. 11 years later, with their 3 rambunctious boys in school themselves, Corky returned to teaching 4th thru 6th
grades - - a career that lasted another 30+ years. She experienced so much joy and satisfaction from teaching, and in return received many thank-you letters from former students after they graduated and had children of their own. She saved every last one of them!
Corky was a hard and tireless worker her entire life, but she always found the time to attend her sons’sporting events and other activities. She was also tremendously supportive of Julian, caring for their young boys by herself (while still teaching) for the 2 years he spent at Penn State working on his Doctorate.
While both worked very hard over the years, Corky & Julian also made the most of their summers off - -first by taking long family trips with their young sons, and later by going on expeditions as a couple once
their boys were in high school and college. Family trips included Lake George, Montreal, Niagara Falls, an Auto-Train trip to Florida and Disney World, and a 42-day cross-country trip that had to have been the inspiration for the movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation”! Many of those family trips were so special
and memorable that they were taken again later by their sons with THEIR children.
Once they had the opportunity to travel as just a couple, Corky & Julian visited virtually every corner of the globe. Purposely avoiding fancy accommodations, they preferred to use and experience the same means of everyday travel and lifestyle as the locals they met along the way. Each kept journals of their trips, with Julian describing every place they visited, modes of transportation used, and the number of steps taken, while Corky focused more on the people they met and how they enriched their expeditionsabroad. Combined with the tons of pictures they took and turned into slides, Corky & Julian shared their adventures and notes with family and friends, and as presentations at their retirement community.
Corky taught until she and Julian retired to Pembroke Pines, Florida in 1992 - - first as snowbirds, and then to their own condo in Century Village. They enjoyed the entertainment and activities available, as well as trips to the casinos (where Corky could sit for hours at the slot machines).
All the while, they remained involved in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives, always excited to hear about their latest exploits and welcome them for visits as often as possible. After Julian passed, Corky still managed to return home for graduations and anniversaries, and even fly cross-country for her
grand-daughter’s wedding. Over time, as it became harder for her to travel, family would visit Corky at her condo.
As much as she loved family, Corky also enjoyed her activities and independence at Century Village. She attended musicals and shows at the Clubhouse theater, participated in and taught arts & crafts, and painted/fired the many Lladro-style ceramic figurines on display in their condo!
Corky was blessed with a creative imagination, artistic talent, a love for people/family/life that endeared her to everyone she met. She lived a long and full life, and made other people’s lives better as she did.
With her passing, she leaves a huge hole in the hearts of her sons Scott (Melinda), David (Debbie), and Randy, as well as her grand-children Sara (Nate), Jenna (Peter), Mike (Emily), and Matt (Reagan), and her great-grandson Remi.
Corky will be greatly missed by all, but they are comforted in knowing that she is once again united with her late brothers David & Joseph, her parents Will & Lil, and, most of all, her beloved husband, Julian.
Rest in peace, Corky
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