Hanna (Sell) Swortwood

Hanna Sell Swortwood, 87, of Lawrence, died May 29, 2012. She was born Hanna Anne Sell on Oct. 28, 1924, in Germany to Karl and Hedwig Sell. The family immigrated to the United States when she was a small child. Hanna grew up in Chicago and Decatur, Michigan and graduated from Decatur High School. She attended Western Michigan University. As an adult, Hanna lived in Chicago and worked for Montgomery Ward. She later worked for the U.S. Government and United Airlines, and lived part of her adult life in Virginia and the Washington, D.C area. In her retirement, Hanna moved to Lawrence to be close to family. Her older brother, Eckhard Sell, and her parents precede her in death. She is survived by her younger brother, John (Audrey) Sell; her sister-in-law, Karen Cornell; and three generations of nephews and nieces to whom she was "Aunt Hanna." She loved painting and drawing, traveling the world, her garden and her flowers. She was active in the Lawrence Garden Club for many years. In her later years, she also enjoyed activities at the Lawrence United Methodist Church. A memorial service in Hanna's honor will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Lawrence United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lawrence Garden Club and the Lawrence United Methodist Church.