Shwayder Fay

Fay Shwayder passed away at her Lakewood home on December 27, 2005 at the age of 89. She was the daughter of Nellie and Jesse Shwayder, founder of Samsonite Luggage. Fay was born April 21, 1916, in Denver. She attended Denver University and Mills College, and then moved to Evanston, Illinois with her husband, Bertram Morris, Philosophy professor at Northwestern University. They later moved to Boulder, Colorado when Bertram became a professor at the University of Colorado. He predeceased her. She had also had a long-time companionship with Harry Campbell. Fay had been an avid tennis player throughout her life, twice winning the Colorado State Championship in singles 25 years apart, and winning uncounted other tennis awards throughout her playing years. In 2005 she was inducted into the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame. She was also an accomplished piano player who loved playing chamber music throughout her life. An equal love was inviting top-notch musicians into her home for house concerts. For many years she was a Trustee of the Aspen Music Festival and supported the endeavors of the Takacs String Quartet. She also was a generous supporter of the Denver Botanical Gardens and many other worthwhile organizations. Fay is survived by two daughters, Judy Drake of Seattle, Washington and Susan DeJong and her husband, Conrad DeJong, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has two living sisters, Dorothy Heitler of Lakewood, Colorado, and Norma Degan of Rancho Mirage, California. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent either to the University of Colorado, Department of Music, Boulder, CO, or the Denver Botanical Gardens, 909 York St, Denver, CO. Her spirit, humor and dedication will be greatly missed by all.