Helene Rose Swan, a longtime resident of Westport, who had lived in New Canaan since 1991, residing there with her daughter and son-in-law, died after a long illness on Friday, January 27, 2012 at the age of 91 in Waveny Care Center, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Merchantville, NJ, March 20, 1920, she was the daughter of the late James F. and Isabel Phillips Brickley, and sister to the late Robert F. Brickley. Helene was also the married for over 35 years to the late Curtis D. Swan. As a young woman, Helene joined the Red Cross during World War II and was stationed in France with the US Army's 101st Airborne Paratroop Division. She and Curt were married in Paris, France, in April 1945 and moved their family from New Jersey to Westport, Connecticut in 1961. She was a realtor and co-owner of Westport East Real Estate from the mid-1960’s well into her retirement years. She also volunteered her time to Americare’s Homefront program and always looked forward to the projects they would assign to her. Her greatest pleasures came from spending time with her children and grandchildren and traveling worldwide with them, wherever they wanted to go. She was an optimistic realist and believed that the solution to everything was in working hard, doing your best, and living your life guided by respect and dignity towards all. Helene will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Survivors include; one son, Christopher Curtis Swan and his wife Carol Luciano Swan of Westport; her two daughters - Karin Swan Brooks and her husband David of Wilton, CT., and Ceal Swan Swift and her husband Jeb of New Canaan, CT; two brothers, James Brickley and Joseph Brickley, both of Merchantville, NJ; a sister, Isabel Boylston, of San Diego, CA; four grandchildren - Nicholas Swan and wife Kristen of Troy, MI; Emily Swan Bom and husband Michiel of Doorwerth, Netherlands; Avery Brooks of Brooklyn, NY, and Chelsea Brooks Chapin and husband John of Portsmouth, NH; and two great-grandchildren, Trevor and Maren Swan, of Troy, MI, with two more great-grandchildren on the way, one in Netherlands (due any day now) and one in Michigan, due in May! Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Getabout Van Service, PO Box 224, New Canaan, CT 06840 The Hoyt Funeral Home, New Canaan has charge of the arrangements. For online condolences visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com