Obituary of Marion Agnes Swanson

Marion Agnes Swanson Endicott, NY—Marion Agnes Swanson, a long time Allegany resident, passed away Saturday (June 21, 2008) at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, NY. Born November 8, 1926 in Darien NY, she was the seventh child of Ralph and Agnes Hochheim Draper. On May 21, 1955 in Holland, NY, she married Richard (Dick) Swanson. Together, they built a home on North Seventh Street in Allegany, where they raised their four children. Sadly, Dick passed away in 1980, one month after celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Swanson was a graduate of the Holland High School’s class of 1942 and of the first graduating class of Alfred University’s School of Nursing in 1945. Upon graduation she worked as a registered nurse in St. Petersburg, Florida, as a school nurse for the Holland Central Schools and as an operating room nurse at Olean General Hospital. In later years, she used her nursing skills at St. Bonaventure University Friary infirmary, St. Elizabeth Motherhouse Infirmary, St. Joseph’s Manor Nursing Home, as a WIC nurse and for private home care patients. She was a member of St. Bonaventure parish, served as a Eucharistic minister, was a member of the Altar Society and an active parent in the St. Bonaventure Parochial School Home and School Association. In her retirement, Mrs. Swanson enjoyed traveling, reading, baking (especially her holiday cookies) and was a loyal Buffalo Bills fan. A caring mother and grandmother, Marion instilled in her children and grandchildren the value of hard work, thrift and faith in God. In 1996 she moved to Whitney Point, NY and was a member of St. Patrick’s Roman Church, the TOPS group, the Hospitality Group and the Northern Broome Golden Agers. In 2002, after a series of strokes, she moved to the Ideal Senior Living Center in Endicott, NY, where she enjoyed participating in many activities and the friendships of residents and staff. Surviving are her four children John (Patti) Swanson of Retson, NY, Mark Swanson of Vestal, NY, Anne (Kevin) Clerkin of Whitney Point, NY, Jill (Craig) Clark of Pittsburgh, PA; her grandchildren Colin Clerkin, Ander Swanson, Patrik Swanson, Kristen Clerkin, Bridget Clark, Nicole Potter; 2 sisters Virginia (Robert) Rice, Jeanne (Bernard) Rice; 1 brother William (Jan) Draper; 6 sisters-in-law Jean Hannon, Jean Swanson, !MaryAnn Prenatt, Betty Draper, Margie Draper, Sue Draper; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, as well as a sister, Ruth Draper; 7 brothers John Draper, William Draper, Howard Draper, Bruce Draper, Kenneth Draper, Ralph Draper, Richard Draper; and 2 nephews Richard Draper and Donald Draper. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig and Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean on Wednesday from 6-8pm and Thursday (June 26, 2008) from 10-11am, at which time funeral services will begin. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to a public library of the donor’s choice. Her family wishes to thank the staff of Ideal Senior Living Center who kindly cared for Marion over the last 6 years, and to the staff of Wilson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Daniel Driscoll for the compassionate treatment she received while under their care following her recent stroke.