Kathleen SWANSON

SWANSON, Kathleen

Kathleen (Whitehead) Swanson, 66, of Portland, beloved wife of George H. Swanson, Jr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday (October 10, 2012), in the comfort of the Middlesex Hospital Hospice Unit. Kathy was born on December 4, 1945 in Middletown and was a life long resident of Portland. Kathy loved to give back to her community by being involved. She was involved in organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Scout Den Mother, committee chairperson for BSA Troop #49 and also chairperson for BSA Sea Scout Ship #480. She was a member of St. Mary's Church and taught CCD classes there and was a member of the Ladies Guild. She was also past president of the American Legion Post #69 Auxiliary and an officer at Hemlock Grange #182. She was very passionate about teaching children about life as she worked as a para-professional at Gildersleeve Elementary School before she retired and was a good friend to her co-workers and students. She was a graduate of Portland High School, Class of 1963. Kathy is survived by her beloved husband, George H. Swanson, Jr.; her son, Erik Swanson, his wife Paulette and Kathy's cherished granddaughter Chloe, her "little monkey-doodle." She is also survived by her father, Robert Whitehead and Irene Summa of Torrington; her sister Debbie Bougor and her husband Randy; her niece and nephew, Lindsay and Matthew Bougor. She was predeceased by her mother, Cecelia (Sally) Whitehead.
Friends and relatives may call at D'Angelo Funeral Home, 22 S. Main St., Middletown, on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 from 4 to 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Portland followed by burial at Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, on Bow Lane in Middletown. A reception will follow the burial at Hemlock Grange #182, 17 Sage Hollow Road in Portland. Kathy's family would like to extend a special thanks to all the doctors and medical staff that assisted her at Middlesex Hospice Unit and at the Connecticut Oncology Group. A few of her last words were, "I had a good time." May we all be so lucky. We all love her very much and will miss her. To share memories or express condolences online, please visit www.dangelofuneralhome.com. Please sign the Guest Book at legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy's memory to The Kathy Swanson Memorial Campership Fund, attn: Michael Tierney, 22 Rogers Rd, Portland, CT 06480 or to your preferred Breast Cancer Charity.