I'm sure we have a photo somewhere!

Gretchen Winowna (Hampton) Swallow

Three Hills

1893-1988

Description

Life and Work

Gretchen Winowna (Hampton) Swallow was born October 26, 1893 in Virginia, U.S.A. At the age of 11, she moved with her family to Canada, arriving first in Calgary. The family tried several locations before settling on a homestead in the Rowley area.

Gretchen spent much of her time helping her mother with the younger children, but there was still plenty of time for dances, skating parties and so on. It was at one of these skating parties that she met her future husband, Henry Swallow. They were married on June 3, 1914 at Munson. In 1917 they opened a livery barn which operated until 1967. They had 5 children. Louis was the first baby born in Rowley in 1915. Lizzie (Nelson), Edith (McWilliams), Clinton, and Joyce (Hobbs) were to follow. The family was very active in the community. Among other things, they operated a farm, a "fix it" business, a dairy business, and contracted to move freight from the railroad to local businesses. As wife and mother, Gretchen played a vital role in the success of the family operations.

Gretchen was involved in teaching Sunday school at the United Church. In addition, she enjoyed arranging flowers and creating unique pieces of art out of tin cans as well as ones out of crocheted strips of plastic. From 1968-1971 Mrs. Swallow lived in Trochu and later moved to the Golden Hills Lodge at Three Hills where she resided for several years. In 1986 she moved to St. Mary's Nursing Home in Trochu where she passed away on November 26, 1988 at the age of 95. Her daughter, Lizzie Nelson, presently resides in Trochu.


Associated Member Museum: Kneehill Historical Museum and AVIP