Erna Eleanor McSweeny, Janesville  (1923 - 2012)

March 26, 1923 - February 5, 2012
Erna Eleanor (DeSollar) McSweeny, 88, of Janesville, passed away quickly and peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was born in Beardstown, IL, on March 26, 1923, to William and Julia DeSollar. She was married to Austin J. McSweeny, M.D., in Beardstown on June 10, 1945.
Erna graduated from Beardstown High School, attended Stephens College in Colombia, MO, and graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with a degree in English. She taught high school English in Cicero, IL, while her husband, Austin, was attending medical school in Chicago, and later taught English at Janesville Senior High School. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty, interior and exterior, and enjoyed a modeling career in both Illinois and Wisconsin. She loved runway and “tea room” modeling, and during the 1960s traveled to Milwaukee for the Wisconsin State Fair each summer to teach 4-H students how to model the outfits they had created. Always an outstanding teacher, Erna also taught fashion merchandising at the Blackhawk Technical College during the 1970s.
Erna enjoyed traveling, and toured the world with her husband during a period spanning almost 40 years. She loved collecting ethnic jewelry and other treasures during her travels. She also loved collecting–and wearing–exquisite vintage clothing.
Although she was a woman of great talent, beauty, and compassion, her greatest achievement and the thing of most importance to her, was that she was an excellent and loving wife and mother.
She is survived by her husband, Austin John II, M.D.; and her five children: Austin John III (Marilee) McSweeny. J.D., Ph.D. of Ottawa Hills, OH, James (Patrice) McSweeny of Mazomanie, WI, Catherine (Mario) Costantini of Milwaukee, WI, Christopher (Jane) McSweeny of Stoughton, WI, and Terence (Kristinn) McSweeny, D.V.M. of Janesville, WI. She is further survived by eight grandchildren: Andrew and Patrick McSweeny, Nicolas, Alexandre, and Cristina Costantini, and Ian, Riley, and Cameron McSweeny.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and two infant children.
Funeral services will be held at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH in Janesville at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to gather at the home of Terence and Kristinn McSweeny, 5061 N. Northwoods Trace, Janesville, WI. SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY is assisting the family.