A funeral service for the mother of former Premier Sir John Swan, Margaret Elmina Swan, will be held today at St. John's Church in Pembroke at 2.30 p.m.

Mrs. Swan died on Friday. She was 91.

Mrs. Swan's active life was remembered this week by those who knew her best, including her son, who said his mother believed in education.

"The single most important issue my mother addressed her whole life was about education ? whether it was reading a book, travel or conversation," Sir John said. "It was very profound to me because I was a reading disabled individual. But she encouraged me to become well informed. That was her strength."

Sir John said his mother worked hard to keep the family together and made everyone she met feel relevant.

Along with his late father, John Nicholas Swan, Sir John said his mother opened a grocery store in Middle Road, Sandys, in the 1940s and 1950s.

"She was always immersed in some form of business," he said. "She believed when you committed yourself to something you worked hard to achieve it."

When his father was playing football his mother washed jerseys for the entire team, Sir John said.

Alison Swan said her grandmother's death was a great loss.

"We relied on her for strength and support," Ms Swan said. "She was always thinking about other people. She was selfless. I think people are really going to miss her. She was a visionary and had a lot of wisdom.

"She really lived her life to the fullest," she said. "She did not waste any time. She was always out and about and involved."

Mrs. Swan received a Member of the British Empire award from the Queen in 1996 for her service to the community, most notably at the Bermuda Senior Islanders' Centre.

The centre's director, Rev. Frederick Hassell, said Mrs. Swan was involved with seniors programmes throughout Bermuda for 25 years.

"She was one of our treasures and part of Bermuda is gone. She had that old business sense, that old community loyalty," Rev. Hassell said. "She came from an era that built organisations, businesses, groups and made a lasting commitment to the country.

"She came to us at a time when we were struggling," he said.

Philippa Burke, a member of Mrs. Swan's church, St. Anne's in Southampton, said: "She was there every Sunday until she took ill. You would see her in her own car driving herself and she was always on time. She had a lot of energy. She was always willing to give of herself."

Ms Burke said Mrs. Swan was virtuous and had integrity. "I am glad she touched my life. I used to call her sweetheart because she was sweet and generous at heart. She has gone to a better place. God is saying to 'dear Maggie' right now and 'Well done my good and faithful servant.' I am sure she is right there with God."