At 90 years old, Evelyn Swineford has weathered more than her fair share of hardship, but her spirit remains unbroken. Born in the midst of the Great Depression, Evelyn’s early life was marked by tragedy and loss, yet she has emerged with an unwavering faith and a deep appreciation for the simple joys in life.

“My story goes clear back to my mother,” Evelyn says. “She was the second patient from Ashland County to go to the Cleveland Clinic for radiation treatments, and I was only 11 years old when she passed away.” Evelyn’s sister died several years later, but despite these devastating losses, Evelyn refused to be defined by her circumstances. At the age of 16, she made the difficult decision to quit school, recognizing that her family needed her at home. “The house was a mess,” she recalls, “and my dad was struggling to keep things together. I knew I had to help out.”

Evelyn’s resilience and determination would serve her well in the years to come. She met her husband, whom she would be married to for an incredible 71 years, at a church youth group meeting. “He told me right then and there that he was going to marry me,” Evelyn says with a chuckle. “I thought he was crazy, but he was right.”

Together, Evelyn and her husband built a life filled with love, faith, and family. They welcomed two daughters, and Evelyn’s son-in-law even went on to become a minister. “The Lord has been good to us,” Evelyn says. “We’ve had our ups and downs, like any couple, but we’ve always had each other.”

Now, as Evelyn finds herself at Brethren Care Village, she is once again surrounded by a community of support. “I haven’t met a stranger yet,” she says. “The staff here are just wonderful, and they always remember my name. I would recommend this place to anyone.”

Despite the challenges she has faced, Evelyn’s spirit remains unbroken. She continues to find joy in the simple things, like sharing stories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “Life is crazy, that’s for sure,” she says with a smile. “But day by day, we just keep going. That’s all we can do.”