Lorraine H. "Lori" Swank

Lorraine H. “Lori” Swank, 74, of Etowah, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, she was the daughter of the late John and Jeanne Cagen Hand. She was raised in Orlando, Florida where she lived until she and her husband, Howard Thiele, moved to Brevard in 2008. She had visited Brevard as a child and had always wanted to live there.

An accomplished horseback rider as a youth, she would later work in the business office of Orlando Regional Medical Center where she was promoted into a training role. She and Howard would later own a wine shop in Orlando, Global Grape Wine’s Fine Foods and Cigars, before moving to Brevard in 2008. In Brevard they both worked for Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations and also participated with the Transylvania County Veterans Honor Guard as well as the Republican Party of Brevard and Transylvania County. She had also enjoyed serving on several HOA’s over the years.

Lori loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and enjoyed taking care of the pets belonging to her friends. An excellent cook, she also enjoyed gardening, Sudoku, painting and watching sports, news and mysteries with her beloved Howard.

Trusting and practical in business and in life, she was born with a servant’s heart and truly enjoyed taking care of others. She had a listening ear and did everything within her power to never disappoint a friend or take anyone for granted. She loved bragging on her family, especially her daughter and grandchildren. She was the best wife anyone could ask for and was the love of Howard’s life.

Lori’s loving survivors include her husband, Howard Thiele; her daughter Jodie Swank Gillon (Brandon)of Raleigh; her brother Mark Hand of Philadelphia, PA; her grandchildren: Alex Moss and Kinsley Gillon and her family at Moore-Blanchard.

A service to celebrate Lori’s life will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in the chapel of Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations. The burial will be held at 3 PM on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Western North Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to

National Humane Society, 40 E. Main St. #364 F, Newark, DE 19711.

Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is honored to serve the family.