Beatrice Dwyer

Beatrice Lydia (Swanson) Dwyer, 86, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2012 at Ecumen Scenic Shores, Two Harbors, Minn. She was born April 23, 1925 to Robert and Mabel Swanson of Clover Valley, Minn. She graduated from Clover Valley High School in 1942 and completed nurse?s training at St. Luke?s Training School for Nurses in 1947. Beatrice then returned to Maryville, Tenn. where she had previously started on her college degree, which she completed in 1950.Beatrice worked for many years at the U of M Hospital, as Night Supervisor of Nurses, alongside many pioneers and dignitaries in the medical and surgical field, who valued her input on various procedures that are still in practice today. Her utmost goal was patient advocacy. In the late 1960?s, Beatrice returned to her hometown where she served as Director of Nurses at St. Mary?s Hospital in Duluth, until her retirement in the early 1980?s, to care for her elderly mother.In recent years, her charm, wit and expertise were all enjoyed by the loving staff at Ecumen Scenic Shores, Two Harbors.-Bea?, as she was affectionately known as by family and friends, loved gardening, cooking, cross-country skiing, opera, her canine companions and the wildlife that lived around her home. She also enjoyed time with her -adopted? family of Walter and Grace Bailey, also of Clover Valley, their children and grandchildren, who were all blessed by her friendship and kindness.She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mabel Swanson and her beloved cousins, Jim Torgerson, Elden -Red? Torgerson and Doris Duncan. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.Visitation: 10 AM Thursday until the 11 AM funeral service at Dougherty Funeral Home. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Palmers. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Merryville, TN. 37804. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth, 727-3555.