Obituary for Carolyn Denney Swango

Carolyn Denney Swango March 9, 1945 – October 4, 2026

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Carolyn dedicated nine years to teaching special education students at Shadow Mountain High School, where her compassion and commitment touched many lives.

Carolyn Swango, 81, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on October 4, 2026. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she was the eldest daughter of Corwin D. Denney and Catherine Whiteside Denney. Carolyn spent her childhood in Tulsa and, for a time, Southern California, growing up alongside her two younger sisters. She attended Stephens College, the University of Arizona, and Arizona State University, later earning her master’s degree in special education and counseling.

Carolyn dedicated nine years to teaching special education students at Shadow Mountain High School, where her compassion and commitment touched many lives. In 2020, she converted to Catholicism and found joy in volunteering at Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church in Carefree, AZ. She cherished her visits to Southern California to spend time with her daughter and family, as well as local outings with friends and loved ones.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Betsy Delurgio, and son in law Jim Delurgio; her granddaughters Samantha Delurgio and Ellie Delurgio; her youngest sister Anne Jacobs and brother in law Jim Jacobs; her nephews Corey Turner and Josh Turner, her niece Melissa Detmer (Turner), and their families. She was preceded in death by her younger sister, Mary Catherine Turner.

A celebration of life was held at Messinger Mortuary Pinnacle Peak on October 16th at 4:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, California on October 30th.

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She found joy in volunteering at Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church in Carefree, AZ.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be dedicated to the COPD Foundation or Hospice of the Valley Arizona in honor of Carolyn Swango.