Mary A. Oliver

1945 - 2021

Mary A. (Ferraro) Oliver, 76, of Vernon, beloved wife of 37 years to James P. Swicklas, went to the Lord on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. She passed away peacefully with her devoted husband at her side.

Born in Binghamton, New York, on April 7, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Antoinette Ferraro. She attended North High School, where she played on the women's basketball team, was an Honors student, cheerleader, and president of the Student Council. After graduation Mary attended college, married her high school sweetheart, and had three daughters. In 1972 she moved herself and her daughters to Vernon, where she immersed herself into the growth of her children and the community. She was involved in the PTA, Vernon swim team, and was a member of Sacred Heart Church - serving on the Finance Committee, Social Event Committee, and as a weekly service reader. She was proud to be a Justice of the Peace and served on the Vernon Democratic Committee, Town Council, and various town boards as well as the Greater Hartford Transit District, and the Access Agency, where she was influential in getting Head Start in Vernon. Mary began her insurance career with John Hancock in the early 1970s and eventually started her own business in financial planning, Mary A. Oliver Company, which she owned for over 40 years. She was often quoted as saying, "I do what I love and love what I do," and considered herself blessed to count her clients as family. She was active in her profession, being a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters, the Society of Financial Services Professionals, the Society of Certified Senior Advisors for 18 years, and Soroptimist International for 35 years who were dedicated to "improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world." She met the "love of her life," Jim, in 1984 and they were married soon after, becoming a blended family with seven children. She was a loving grandmother, great-grandmother, cherished wife and friend. She will be dearly missed.

In addition to her husband Jim, she is survived by her seven children: Laurie (Mark) McKee of Hilton Head, South Carolina; Elizabeth "Beth" Baddeley, Vernon; Kimberly (John) Castriotta of Niceville, Florida; Jeannie Swicklas of Broad Brook; Sandra (Skip) Richardson of Durham, North Carolina; Angela (Alan) Jerome, Enfield; and Michael (Debbie) Swicklas of Ellington; 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; her sisters, Gloria Jean Dykeman, Burleson, Texas; Lynda Eronimous of Seattle, Washington; Lisa Fales of Endwell, New York; Jo Marie Joly of Auburn, New York, and Jo Ann Richards of Athens, Pennsylvania; a step-mother, Betty Ferraro of Binghamton, New York, and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her brothers, Butchie and Michael Ferraro. Mary leaves behind many friends who helped her make the world a better place through laughs, cooperation, and contribution. When asked what her biggest accomplishment was, she said, "raising her family."

Her family will receive friends for calling hours on Monday, Aug. 23, from 4-7 p.m. at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road (Route 83) in Vernon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. St. Bernard Church, 25 St. Bernard Terrace in Vernon. Interment will follow in Valley Falls Cemetery, Vernon.

In honor of Mary's life, please send donations in lieu of flowers to The Cornerstone Foundation-Vernon

www.cornerstone-cares.org

or The American Cancer Society.

For online condolences and guest book, please visit

www.carmonfuneralhome.com