Laura L (Lupton) Swain

Laura Belle Lupton Swain, or "Lolly" to her friends and associates, died peacefully Wednesday at her home in Barrington, RI, with her family at her side. She was 96. Herbert Woodward Swain, her beloved husband of 68 years, predeceased her in 2011. A true California beauty, known for her love of life, her laugh, charm, and old-school “gumption,” Laura was loved by everyone who had the good fortune of knowing her. She was creative in her kitchen, her garden  and her lovely home.  Laura's children, in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren all adored her, always looking forward to visiting "Howie" at her home on the Barrington River.  She loved golf and tennis and was always ready for a sing-along at a piano. An excellent storyteller and raconteuse,  Laura taught her family to stay positive, and enjoy life to the fullest, no matter what cards they were dealt.

Born in McAllister, OK in 1926, the daughter of Purcell and Dorothy Lupton, Laura grew up in San Bernardino, CA.  While on a high-school weekend trip to Laguna Beach, CA in 1943, she met Capt. Herb Swain, a Marine pilot from Dartmouth, stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro. So began a lifelong love affair. They married just before Herb was called to duty in the Pacific. Their first child Sandra was born a year after.

Following WWII, Laura and Herb briefly resided in La Jolla before moving East to Plainfield, NJ. They made many moves around the country given Herb's career in the retail business, and Laura made friends wherever they went. They finally settled in Barrington, RI in 1975 where Herb was a Company Principal at Cherry & Webb. .

Professionally, Laura had various business interests in southern New England. She was also a member of the Rhode Island Country Club, the Junior League, the Barrington Garden Club, and the Handicraft Club of Rhode Island. She and Herb were parishioners at Saint John's Episcopal Church in Barrington. Later when Herb renewed his pilot’s license, Laura helped him “navigate” his Piper Cherokee with her children and grandchildren up and down the East Coast

Laura is survived by her son Herbert W. Jr. “Woody” (Marjorie Gregg) of New York City, daughter Laura Ladd of Hillsborough NC (Jay) and son Thomas Lupton (Kerima) of Walnut Creek, CA. Her grand-children are Jessica Lupton Heywood (Greg Kaufman) of Washington, DC, Samuel Swain Heywood (Molly) of Portland, OR, Edward Wyatt Swain (Eliza) of Rye, NY, James Wyatt Ladd of New York City, Kailen and Cody Swain of San Francisco, and five great-grandchildren.

Laura was predeceased by her husband, her daughter Sandra Lupton, her brother Purcell Lupton and sister Nancy Lupton.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hope Hospice of RI, Rhode Island SPCA or St. John's Episcopal Church of Barrington, RI.