Gena Lea Swanner

Gena, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born on March 14, 1983, in Tacoma, Washington, Gena lived a life filled with creativity, compassion, and an enduring love for her family and friends. Gena grew up in a small, close-knit family, cherished by her mother, Jayne Brennan, and stepfathers Bill Brennan of Longmont, Colorado, and Greg Ford of Palmer, Alaska. She is survived by her sisters, Nicholle Wycoff of Marysville, California, and Christina Wycoff and her boyfriend James of Loma Rica, California, as well as her brother Alan Ford and his wife Alexis of Burnsville, Minnesota. Her cherished niece, Lilith Anne Marie, also of Marysville, California, will forever hold Gena's memory in her heart. Preceded in death by her grandmother Shirley M. Maestas and her favorite uncle, Randy L. Maestas, and her childhood friend Cora Rose Allen. Gena was deeply loved by her family and friends. Her educational journey took her back to school in Virginia, where she proudly earned her G.E.D. Gena's career was as diverse as her interests. She worked in large retail stores in Anchorage, Alaska; Longmont, Colorado; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Her favorite role was in sales at Mermaid Imports in Anchorage, where her love for the unusual and artistic truly shone. Gena also embraced her cyber- goth style, gracing the runway and magazine covers as a Gothic Barbie model. Later, she found fulfillment in caring for seniors in assisted living facilities in Anchorage and Longmont, a testament to her generous and compassionate spirit. As a Mary Kay representative throughout her 30s, she shared her love for beauty with her mother as her most loyal customer. Gena was a proud member of the Colorado PT Cruiser Club, where she enjoyed parades, car shows, and club gatherings with her beloved car, "Cruisie." Her artistic talents extended to makeup, cosplay, painting, and crafting. She loved gaming with her brother, Alan, and found joy in blending technology and art through digital paint-by-numbers and short dramas. Gena cherished road trips along the coastal 101 with her mom and shared her home with two rescue cats, Archie and Binx, who will now find comfort with her sisters. Known for her radiant smile and unwavering positive attitude, Gena inspired everyone she met, facing life's challenges with grace and strength. Her generosity and compassion touched the lives of both family and strangers alike. Gena's family extends heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at OHSU, particularly those in the Kohler Cardiac ICU and the Pediatric Cardiology department, for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gena's memory can be made to your local cat rescue. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.