A Memorial Celebration for Shirley Jo Swenson Latson will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, July 6, 2013 at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration (14115 Hillcrest Rd. Dallas, TX 75254, phone (972) 233-1898). Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Joseph Robert Latson. She is survived by her 5 children (and their spouses) - Sherry, Larry (Debbie), Terry (Laurie), Gary (Lola), and Jerry (Kellie). She was blessed with 9 Grandchildren (Hayley Hartner; Angie Hardman and Larry Latson, Jr; Dana and Joseph Latson ; Christina and Trevor Latson; Elizabeth and Emily Latson) and 5 Great Grandchildren (Garrett and Oliver Hardman; Jack and Luke Latson; Hannah Sebby). Shirley was born in Amarillo, Texas on October 13, 1928, the daughter of Wilbur Ernest Swenson and Almira Gough Swenson. She attended Amarillo High School, Linden Hall College (Pennsylvania), and Amarillo Junior College. Following the untimely death of her beloved husband in 1969, she was left with the task of raising 5 children ranging in age from 3 thru 18. She accomplished this task with seemingly unending love and grace. Essentially on her own, she eventually sent two children through graduate school and three children thru medical school. Today, due to her love and determination, her children are all blessed with their own loving families. Her children could not have asked for a better role model! She was our hero …… "the wind beneath our wings". Aside from "family" activities, she enjoyed reading and sewing. For 15 years, she enjoyed being an active member of the "Krazy Krafters" craft club in North Dallas. She retired from her position with the library at the University of Texas Dallas at the age of 80. After retirement, she continued to volunteer with the Church of the Transfiguration "Clothes Horse" store, and with the "Off Your Rockers" reading and mentoring program at Canyon Creek Elementary School. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Center for Brain Health at UT Dallas. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75252, 214-306-6700. If You Had a Mom Like Mine

If you had a Mom like mine

She would be soft-spoken quiet, but strong;

Unassuming strong, family strong;

Petite, but capable of wrangling a most unruly brood -

Mostly alone.

You would know love beyond all bounds,

Devotion without question:

Not necessarily effusive cuddly love,

But deep abiding love

That makes you know at your core

That you could never be alone.

You would always know the right thing to do.

Your moral compass would be rock solid

If you followed your heart,

Because it would be her heart

That she gave to you so willingly.

When her time on this Earth passed,

You would no longer be privileged

To see her smile in person,

But you would never forget her

For she would be as much a part of what you are

As anything inside you.

-You would be so lucky-