Laura Marie Swan

Laura Marie Swan lived with energy and joy, and left us, quietly, peacefully and unexpectedly, in her sleep on June 19, 2024. She is missed by so many.

Laura was born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Bob and Dixie Swan. Her family, consisting of older sister Jill and older brother Brent, moved to Scottsdale when Laura was a baby. She attended Cochise, Cocopah and then Chaparral High School, where she made lasting friendships and excelled academically. The family enjoyed traveling with trips across the United States, three international trips, to Europe, and then to Greece and Turkey, and later to Africa. She can be found smiling her cheerful smile in nearly every picture!

When it was time for college, Laura attended The University of Arizona where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Psychology while completing all pre-med course requirements. Laura graduated Magna Cum Laude, and was a member of prestigious honor societies Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Chi, and Phi Eta Sigma. It was in college that she met the love of her life, Andrew Gasparro, together for over half their lives and they made their home in Ahwatukee for the past decade. Laura and Andrew were recently engaged; she had found her soulmate who loved and protected her always.

After college, she returned to Phoenix where she enjoyed working for a regional commercial real estate developer. When her health took a turn, she had to stop working, but never stopped living life. She gave her time generously to her two nieces, to neighbors and to many community causes. Her sister’s family, Jill and David and their daughters Olivia and Emily, were special joys in Laura’s life. Family and friends all counted on her careful planning, cheerful countenance and detailed follow-through in all of the family’s events. Laura’s sudden passing has left all deeply saddened but also eternally grateful for the time with this sunny, sweet, smart, lovely person.

Laura viewed every day as a gift and the people around her as gifts, too. As an organ donor recipient, Laura was an advocate for organ donations and supported the incredible advances and progress that continues to be made in science and medicine. Her life will live on in others, as upon her passing, she became an organ donor through her gift of organ and tissue donation.

Laura’s Celebration of Life ceremony will be held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Phoenix, 5510 N. Central Ave, Phoenix AZ 85013. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Laura’s life.

Donations in Laura’s memory may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona: https://soazbigs.bbbssecure.org/page/152253/donate/1.