Obituary: Roswitha Mann

Roswitha Mann (August 5, 1942 – July 3, 2023)

Roswitha Mann, of Canton, Mich., passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on July 3, 2023, after a long battle with cancer at the age of 80.

Roswitha, born August 5, 1942, was a Nazi Germany survivor. She escaped East Germany and grew up on an orchard. Roswitha moved to the United States in 1968. She was a strong, independent German woman.

Roswitha worked for many years at St. Joe’s Hospital in Ypsilanti as a medical biller until her retirement. She loved to travel around the world. Roswitha was an expert gardener and knew her flowers well. She enjoyed knitting beautiful pieces and relaxing with a good book.

Roswitha and Jerry Swartout (from Manchester) had been together for the past 36 years. They enjoyed going to garage sales and auctions, snowmobiling, and fishing at Jerry’s with the grandkids.

Roswitha had one son and Jerry had three daughters. Together they had 18 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Roswitha was a very loving and caring partner, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her grandchildren called her Omi (German for grandma). She loved and adored each one of them. She watched them all grow up to be respectful, hardworking, loving adults. She always lit up when all her grandkids were around, especially her new great-grandson. Holding him and playing with his feet made her so very happy.

She will be truly and deeply missed by all who knew her. She was a wonderful woman. Funeral arrangements by L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, Canton.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.