Denise Swarts, 72, of Owego, New York, entered everlasting rest with her Lord and Savior on June 14, 2025. Born on May 12, 1953, in Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina, U.S. Naval Hospital, she was a devoted Christian, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose life was a testament to her unwavering faith in God. She was a graduate of Whitney Point, NY, in the class of 1971. She pursued her associate's degree in culinary arts at SUNY Cobleskill.

Denise was a woman of deep faith, finding joy in serving her church community at McKendree Global Methodist Church. She lived her life guided by the love of Christ, sharing kindness and compassion with everyone she met. Her warm smile, generous spirit, and steadfast belief in God's grace touched countless lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Jr and Judy Swan, and her grandson Charles Foster. She is survived by her loving spouse, Douglas, her three beloved sons and their wives, Brady (Holly) Foster, Matt (Tracy) Foster, and Chase (Justeen) Foster, stepchildren, Samm Swarts & Rachael Martin. Denise is also survived by her grandchildren, Brady Foster Jr., Timothy Foster, Paul (Kait) Johnston, Kurstan Martin, Cali (Dominick) Manuel, Makayla (Brandon) Diehr, Kaitlyn (Seth) Shugars, Hunter Wagner, Breanna Martin, Rylee Wagner, Hunter Foster, and Holley Foster; her great-grandchildren, Niko Crout, Jase Johnston, Aurora Shugars, Peyton Johnston, Maizie Manuel, and Johnathan Diehr; her devoted and loving sisters and their spouses, Susan (Mike) Holden, and Andrea (Bill) Eichhorn; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Denise is also leaving behind her lifelong and dear friends, Bill and Sue Turner, and Sally Bechy, as well as many dear friends who will cherish her memory.

Denise was a stay-at-home Mom to her three loving boys before re-entering the workforce at Owego-Harford Railway where she worked for Steve and Cheryl May for twenty years. She enjoyed and loved working for Steve and Cheryl on the railroad, particularly when the railroad ran dinner trains. After retirement, Denise loved working at the Open Hearts Dinner, an event organized by the church for the community.

Denise found great joy in cake decorating for all family members' birthdays. She also loved baking and cooking for all her family and friends. Denise would always be on the lookout for the newest recipe she wanted to bake for her family and friends, as she loved watching cooking shows. Denise's legacy of love, faith, and devotion to her family and community will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. She also loved going on her family vacations to the St. Lawrence River up on Wellesley Island; something that was started when she was a child, and she made sure it was passed on to her children and grandchildren.

A celebration of Denise's life will be held at 11:00 am on June 28th at the McKendree Global Methodist Church, located at 224 Owego St, Candor, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to McKendree Global Methodist Church, 224 Owego Street, Candor, NY 13743, reflecting Denise's commitment to her Savior.

As we mourn her passing, we take comfort in knowing that Denise is now in the arms of her Savior, rejoicing in the promise of eternal life. "Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:21).