A Treasure in Life's Collection

I have a note written by Shirley Sue Swaab, ASA dated 7.4.04. That summer I interviewed the vivacious and nationally renowned antiques expert, collector and appraiser for an article I was preparing about funeral practices and the art of writing obituaries.

A resident of Cheltenham Township, Swaab was on the program for an upcoming lecture at the historic Montgomery Cemetery in Norristown, speaking on the general topic, “To Die For: Funeral Customs of the Victorian Age.”

She was 82 at that time. Swaab was keeping a file of obituaries – She called it “People I Wish I’d Known.” Her note to me accompanied some materials she was graciously sharing. Her note read in part, “I can’t send you my own obit, as it’s not time yet to release it!”

With a grieving heart, I report that mournful time has now arrived.

On March 21, 2010, Shirley Sue Swaab passed away. I learned of this profound loss through the Cheltenham Township Adult School, on whose Board the dynamo served for over 49 years until her sudden death. Along with her family, her colleagues in the American Society of Appraisers and everywhere else she made her mark, her friends throughout CTAS were devastated and stunned.

You wouldn’t generally use the term “stunned” when a person of that age dies, but that’s part of the magic that was Shirley. As one friend commented, “She didn’t seem mortal.”

The day prior to her heart attack, Shirley delivered the feature lecture for the Victorian Society in America’s Philadelphia Chapter on “Dignity and Decadence” in the Victorian Period. The day she collapsed, she had just taken part in a ceramics study group. And she’d already arranged for two Adult School trips for the autumn of 2010. Shirley had just completed writing a book that had begun with her handout for a seminar, How to Be a Silver Detective.

Though Shirley never did give me her “advance” obituary, it’s cathartic to share some of her essence. In doing so, I rely partly on the public record, and partly on background from a second formal interview she gave me for an article on “collecting,” as well as on our relationship through the Adult School. Marsha Fischer, past president and continuing officer of Cheltenham Township Adult School, also contributed information and the Swaab family corrected what we got wrong.

Shirley’s reputation transcended local. Her lectures were often sponsored by such prominent institutions as the Smithsonian and the Rhode Island School of Design. Recipient of ASA’s George Sinclair Professionalism Award in 2007, Shirley always punctuated her seminars with wit and humor and she was known for demonstrating her talks with hands-on artifacts from her personal collections, instead of using slides. She created and ran for 60 semesters the very popular Antiques Seminar for Cheltenham Township Adult School, bringing in other experts each week. There was nothing else comparable. Her energy was enviable.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Shirley Sue Maring’s first college degree was in metallurgical chemistry. For some time, she worked in the corrosion department of Monsanto. She married in 1946. Her plans to complete a doctorate in the sciences were thwarted by a turf battle over transfer of credits. A second career was Christmas tree decorating, which she said proved too seasonal. She later turned to appraising. Textile restoration is what she planned for her 4th career "When [she] was too old to walk or talk,” she told her family. Shirley said she adored lecturing, because she loved sharing.

Meanwhile she remained happily married to Don for 64 years, raised four children, and became a significant party in the lives of her grandchildren. Six months before her death, Shirley asked math professor Marsha Fischer to recommend a good book on linear algebra so she could keep up with her grandson. Perhaps playing – and teaching - tennis also helped keep her young.
Shirley Sue was always dressed and groomed impeccably, bejeweled and made up to match what remained of her captivating Southern drawl.

Swaab’s collections ranged from the fine and serious (silver, porcelain, ivory, etc.) to the whimsical and “offbeat.” She was proud of her Victorian mourning jewelry, large black bloomers (like those worn by Queen Victoria) and “paper ephemera” – including funeral invitations. She also enjoyed collecting air sickness bags from the days when airline travel was luxurious and competitive and these items were artful or interesting. She even had a special cabinet made for the airline bags.

Research was one of the most compelling aspects of collecting for Shirley. “It’s part of my training in the scientific field. I like to go to the bottom of things, to know why, where they came from,” she told me. “What makes the articles tick?” Shirley called research and collecting “Joyful.”

Shirley was mentor and muse to all who knew her. She took a personal interest in promoting others, treating folks to homemade goodies and sending supportive letters and helpful clippings.

For example, there was the custodian who had a toothache. When Swaab realized that he would not be able to obtain dental care, she made an appointment for him with her own dentist.
Some years ago, I would have missed one of my favorite all-time writing gigs had she not told me about a particular job posting.

Everyone has stories to tell.

If you, like Shirley, are also keeping a file of People You Wish You’d Known, Shirley Sue Swaab would have to rank awfully high on your list.