Maralyn Elaine Swales

Maralyn Elaine (Ashley) Swales, a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026 at LifeCare Center in Columbia TN, at the age of 94.

Services will be held at Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia Tennessee, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Family will receive visitors from 3-5 PM, with a memorial service following at 5 PM.

Born March 30, 1931, to William and Calista Ashley in Sublette Illinois, she lived in Mendota where she graduated from Mendota High School. After attending community college, she moved to Kansas City, where she worked for TWA airlines and met her husband William Swales. They married on April 23, 1955. After many moves around the country with his job, they returned to Mendota to raise their family. While in Mendota she worked for The National Bank and Floralcrest. Her lifelong passion however, was loving and caring for her family. Maralyn loved people well, and had a heart for people - and cats- who were lost or in need, or strayed from their path.

She was known for her deep love for her family, friends, and rescued cats. Her sense of humor brightened the lives of those around her. Maralyn radiated kindness, generosity, and compassion in all that she pursued. She taught us the importance of loving fully, caring for one another and helping those in need. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but her spirit and warmth will continue to keep our hearts full.

She is survived by her children, Kathy Josten (Ed) of Elkader, Iowa, and Lori Bergland (Don) of Columbia, Tennessee. Maralyn cherished her grandchildren Kyle Josten (Danielle), Caitlin Josten, Jessie Bergland, and Harley Bergland (Gabby) and was blessed by three great-grandchildren, Evelyn Josten and Leilani and Liam Bergland, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Calista Pearl (Hurlbet) Ashley and William Marshall Ashley, her two brothers Willis and Wayne Ashley and sister-in-laws Ernie and Carolyn Ashley, her beloved husband Bill Swales and infant daughter Paula.

Honorary pallbearers are the caring staff of LifeCare who loved and cared for her so well the last years of her life. Memorials may be directed to Maury Regional Mobile Health at 1224 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401, or your local Animal Shelter.

You may share condolences with the family at the Heritage Funeral Home website: www.TnFunerals.com.