St. George, Utah - Gena Gail Russie Swain, 65, passed away December 26, 2015. She was born February 23, 1950 in Oildale, California to Eugene Menard Russie and Dessie Avone Hake.

Gena grew-up in Bakersfield and graduated from South High School in June 1968. She married Walter E. Swain on March 21, 1969. They lived in the California cities of Lompoc, Marysville, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz and recently moved to St. George, Utah.

She loved to dance and play harmonica, piano and guitar and liked to sing with her Karaoke machine. She loved luncheons with friends and going to the Mexican Markets, bakeries and restaurants in Watsonville. She has many Facebook and internet friends all over the world.

Perhaps her greatest enjoyments were fun times with her grandchildren where grandma was always storytelling, drawing pictures or making puzzles or games which involved teaching her grandchildren to be creative and to know that they are loved.

Gena was a member of The Church of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings in the Primary, Young Women and the Relief Society.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Walter; daughter, Amy Hollingshead and grandson, Mason of Watsonville, CA; son, Joseph (Heather) Swain and granddaughters, Kaila and Tiana of Cedar City, UT; and brother, Robbie Russie of Bakersfield, CA. She passed away while on Christmas vacation with her family in Brian Head, UT.

Graveside services will be held in St. George, Utah on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Tonaquint Cemetery. A visitation will be held Monday, prior to services, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah.

Memorial services will also be held in Santa Cruz, CA on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 220 Elk Street.