Darrell Swenson Acts of Love and Kindness

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a r r e

S w e n s o n Acts of Love and Kindness

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l l

Cover: Pool Red Towel

March 1 – April 2, 2023

Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center

March 5 |12:00 p.m.

D a r r e l l S w e n s o n
of Love
Kindness
Acts
and
L a w r e n c e F a m i l y Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS S a n D i e g o C e n t e r f o r J e w i s h C u l t u r e
Gotthelf Ar t Galler y Exhibition Celebration Sunday,
RSVP

October 8, 1924 –

December 31, 2020

l S w e n s o n
D a r r e l

From a child of the Great Depression to a Commander in the U.S. Navy, and a veteran of three international wars; WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. A father of four children and the husband of a loving wife for six decades.

This was my Father and he was my Dad. But I don’t mind sharing him, because YOU were his family. When he would walk in these doors ever y morning at 7:07am, his eyes would light up with happiness and his face would beam with love and the anticipation of a new day that he was going to share with all the special friends he cherished here.

My Dad may be gone, but he lives on in so many ways. He left us with memories preser ved in his series of watercolors that are his gift to each and ever yone of you here at the JCC.

Over the years, Darrell, my swim buddy, and I developed a deep friendship. There was so much to love and enjoy about Darrell, especially his amazing resilience…his ability to move through life’s tough challenges with for titude and grace.

Darrell’s beautiful paintings didn’t just happen. He had to work through some ver y dif ficult phases to bring the paintings to life. I think we all sensed his strength and determination wrapped up in the kind-hear ted spirit he was. I feel blessed to have had Darrell as a wonder ful friend, and am grateful for the JCC where our friendship was born and nur tured over many years.

Darrell made the path of life an easier and more beautiful journey for me, my family, and truthfully, for all of us. He always watched for surprises. He possessed a simple yet profound sense that life is so wonder ful and that you are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new big dream.

With Darrell it could be a hug, a hear t to hear t talk, pearls of wisdom, a good belly laugh or millions of other mar velous things. Horace once said that "a picture is a poem without words." So let us enjoy these precious "poems" by Darrell Swenson who was the JCC's own "Renaissance Man," – an inspiration and friend to all who knew him.

Darrell was probably the most optimistic person. He always had something positive to say about ever ybody…He told me that there will always be obstacles, but that's all they are and you shouldn't let them stop you. Darrell is what I believe the JCC stands for: positivity and community.

Lighthouse Point Pinos

Lighthouse Point Arena

Lighthouse Cape Disappointment
JCC Pool
JCC Pool Red Cones

Gold Diving Boards

Cardif f by the Sea
Encinitas
Convention Center
Coronado Bridge
Seapor t Village
Sur fer Torrey Pines
The Old Globe
Organ Pavillion
Pacific Beach
San Diego Skyline
La Jolla Cove
NSCO Shipyard

A Calm Day

Leucadia

Arches in the Park

Balboa Park

Thank you to the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center for giving our family the oppor tunity to share our father's watercolors in this exhibition. And hear tfelt gratitude and appreciation to Candy Cumming and Marzena Hajduk for making my father's lifelong wish of showing his watercolors in the place he loved most a reality.

L a w r e n c e F a m i l y Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS S a n D i e g o C e n t e r f o r J e w i s h C u l t u r e
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