Elizabeth Morris

Mrs. Elizabeth “Liz” Baird Swint Morris, 60, of Durango, died on September 29, 2015, after an eleven-year long battle with cancer. She was born December 15, 1954, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Her parents were William Oliver Swint (7/17/1911 to 9/4/1963) of Augusta, Georgia and Martha Jean Baird Swint (8/6/1923 to 4/6/1991) of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. She was born into the nomadic lifestyle of US Air Force families. Her father was a mechanical engineer employed by Boeing who helped to build the Minuteman and Titan missile silos in South Dakota. He then moved his family from Florida to Washington to Maine to Minnesota.
Liz’s family settled down in New Mexico where they raised and trained Quarter Horses. She participated in 4-H, rodeos, and horse shows, winning lots of ribbons and trophies. Liz attended Farmington High School and graduated from Sandia High School in Albuquerque in 1972. When Liz was 14, the Highland High School baseball team (Albuquerque) came to Farmington for a playoff game. She met Charles Edward Morris, 16, that day: It was love at first sight! Liz graduated from UNM in 1976 and they married that same year in Albuquerque on October 23, 1976.
Her first 4-year college degree (she was a 4.0+ student) sent her out into the work world as an MT (Medical Technician specializing in phlebotomy). She worked at Lovelace hospital in Albuquerque, at a veterinary laboratory in El Paso, TX, the Veteran’s hospital in Spearfish, SD, a veterinary laboratory in Brookings, SD, and at Mercy hospital in Durango. She obtained her second Bachelor of Science degree at Black Hills State College in Computer Science and that qualified her to work at La Plata County Assessor’s Office and IS department, in 1989 when Liz and Charlie moved to Durango. She recently completed 25 years with La Plata County.
Liz kept horses all her life; her first horse was a coal black Shetland pony. The adventures they had! Some of their fearless escapades she even kept secret from her mom and dad. She was a member of Four Corners Back Country Horsemen, a not-for-profit group promoting trail riding and was active with the club, participating in their horse trail maintenance projects until she became too ill.
Other activities Liz liked were traveling, cruising, camping, and fishing. Being a tourist was also a favorite pastime. She was talented at making halters, headstalls, various pieces of tack, and macramé, which she gave to her family every Christmas. Charlie and Liz each had a snow-mobile and Liz was a terror driving hers. She also thoroughly enjoyed Celtic Festivals along with her family, reading and learning about her Scottish heritage. She had her own bagpipes!
She is survived by her husband, Charles Edward Morris, Durango; her sister, Barbara Jean Swint Goodwin, Placitas, NM; and her niece, Martha Bernice Goodwin, Albuquerque, NM. Her family members also include Harry Morris, Jr., Albuquerque; Michael and Linda Morris Swenson of Idaho Falls, ID; their children Laura Swenson, David Swenson, Mark Swenson, and Julie Swenson.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 4th, 2015, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Extension Building on the La Plata County Fairgrounds. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Four Corners Back Country Horsemen, P.O. Box 3521, Durango, CO 81302 (www.4cbch.org).