Gayle Ann Swanson's Obituary
Gayle Ann (Dombroski) Swanson, 76, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Noblesville, IN. She was born on March 6, 1950, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Doris (Painter) Dombroski.
Gayle was the light in the lives of many, motherly to all, and a constant source of happiness, care, and love. Growing up, she and her brother, Mark, were in the drum and bugle corps, where Gayle excelled on the Sabre Squad. After a couple of years at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, she decided to pursue her dream of working for United Airlines. This allowed her to tap into her adventurous spirit and do one of the things she loved most: travel.
The airline industry united (pun intended) her with her future husband, Cliff, an air traffic controller, at a TGI Friday’s near O’Hare. They exchanged vows on October 20, 1979, in honor of her parents, who were married on the same day in 1946. She was the most comforting and nurturing mother to her two children, Brooke and Reid.
In her later years, she was a strong and determined woman, no matter what life threw at her, including battling and beating breast cancer. Her perseverance was admirable and inspiring. As those who encountered her know, she always had a lot to say and was never at a loss for words. Everyone would give the world to hear those words one last time. May she rest in peace.
Gayle is survived by her husband, Cliff Swanson of Noblesville, IN; daughter, Brooke Swanson of Noblesville, IN; son, Reid Swanson and daughter-in-law, Cara Rufo, of Littleton, CO; and brother, Mark Dombroski and sister-in-law, Janet Dombroski, of Mt. Zion, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Doris Dombroski.
Condolences and memories may be shared online at https://www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
A visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on May 4, 2026, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur, IL. A funeral service will follow from noon to 1:00 p.m., with burial at Fairlawn Cemetery immediately afterward. Following the service, please join us at Doherty’s Irish Pub from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. to share stories and celebrate Gayle’s life.
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