Life story
" Rebecca Jane Swarthout Day, 71, of Biddeford, ME and Brandy Station, VA died on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Mary Washington Hospital Center in Fredericksburg, VA. She was born November 30, 1949 to Joseph S. and Mary Jane (Morris) Swarthout in Philadelphia, PA. Rebecca grew up in Philadelphia, PA and graduated from Frankford High School, Class of 1967.
Rebecca married Robert W. Sausman of Philadelphia, PA in July 1968 and had two children, Kathryn and Jeremiah. Despite their divorce they maintained their friendship until Robert’s death in 1987. Rebecca married James E. Day of Saco/Biddeford, ME on August 30, 1986 and relocated to Maine. The marriage ended in divorce in February 2009. Rebecca continued to reside in Biddeford, ME, helping to raise her grandson until 2019, when she relocated to Brandy Station, VA to live with her daughter.
As a young woman, Rebecca’s dream was to be a military nurse. While in the process of pursuing this dream when she discovered she was pregnant with her first child. Though not military, she eventually achieved her dream of becoming a nurse, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Rebecca completed school while also working full time at Pennsylvania Hospital and raising two small children. She later worked as a nurse at Pennsylvania Hospital in the Emergency Department and ultimately as a nursing supervisor in Obstetrics and in the Labor and Delivery unit. After moving to Maine, she owned and operated her own bookkeeping and payroll business, Rebecca J. Day and Associates in Biddeford, ME. She was also a notary and was very proud to have officiated wedding ceremonies for several friends.
Rebecca was very a devoted church member and had an enduring love of music. At Walter Erb Memorial Church in Philadelphia, PA she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was a fill-in pianist. Later, at Lawndale Baptist Church, in Philadelphia, PA she sang in the choir and was part of the vocal group “Joyful Noise”, which performed at various churches in the area.
Rebecca pursued her hobbies with a passion. She was an avid lifelong photographer and turned her scenic photos into a business. Her passion for being on the water led her to achieve the rank of Flotilla Commander in the Maine Coast Guard Auxiliary. Rebecca loved her dogs like family, particularly Australian Terriers. She was an excellent cook and loved to craft and work in her flower gardens. Shasta daisies were her favorite flower.
Rebecca is preceded in death by parents and her sister, Susan Elizabeth Swarthout. She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn E. Swarthout and her husband, David R. Fowler of Virginia; her son, Jeremiah R. Swarthout and his long-time girlfriend, Laura Pastore of New Hampshire; three grandchildren, Jeremiah M. Swarthout and his mother Jennifer Taylor and her husband, Nacer Bassou of Pennsylvania; Cheyenne Fowler and long-time boyfriend, Jake Hubbard of Virginia; and Zachary Fowler and fiancé Kristen Eppard of Virginia; great-grandchildren Paige and Jase; her uncle, Donald Morris of West Virginia; her cousin Amy McCarty and partner, Michelle Throckmorton of Ohio; cousin Patrick McCarty and wife Sandra of Michigan; cousin Christine Thomas of Indiana; cousin Stephen Pullen and wife, Barbara of New Hampshire; many, many more cousins; her beloved dog, Sir Bentley of Swarthout; and multiple close friends she loved as family.
A celebration of her life will be held at a future time to be decided. "
