Sylvia Veronica Swanson

Sylvia Veronica Keller Whitman Swanson, beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, went back to God peacefully and lovingly on January 8, 2026.

Sylvia was born in Dallastown, PA, on December 27, 1938, to Charles and Theresa Keller. The second oldest of seven children, Sylvia was raised with the most important values: love, laughter, family, and faith. Sylvia greatly enjoyed her childhood and carried those precious memories with her siblings throughout her entire life.

She was called to join the convent at 19 and served ten years with The Little Sisters of the Assumption, living and working among the vulnerable and poor, especially those facing illness, hardship, and instability. Her journal from October 1957 reveals her heart: "My aim-I want to love God so much that it shines through me."

Her desire for a family continued to grow, and she left the convent after ten years. She became a registered nurse, another vocation and calling. She married Elwood Whitman in 1971 and had three children with him. Sylvia loved being a mother, and continued teaching us all lessons, up until the very end.

After Elwood passed away in 1990, she had the amazing blessing of meeting another love of her life, Ronald Swanson. They blended their families and started welcoming grandchildren in 1997. Sylvia LOVED being a grandmother to her ten grandchildren, and they LOVED belonging to her. Sylvia and Ron moved to Mystic, CT, in 2022 to be closer to family. Ronald passed away in 2023, and Sylvia started her own battle with brain cancer. Regardless of her circumstance, she maintained incredible persistence, grit, strength, and faith, and continued to give to her friends and family.

Sylvia lived her life with extraordinary grace, love, compassion, and strength. She prayed every day for all people and lived without judgment, as much as a mortal can do. She will be greatly missed on this Earth, and we celebrate her joining all that is love and light we could never comprehend.

She is survived by six children: Jeff Whitman (Lisa) of Alburtis, PA; Ronald Swanson (Lisa) of Morris Plains, NJ; Virginia Kilcran of Raleigh, NC; Melodee Whitman of Boston, MA; Elizabeth Swanson (Mike Wager) of Falmouth, MA; and Kristy Norbert (Geoff) of New London, CT. She is also survived by her stepdaughter, Brenda Gerberich (Ken) of Annville, PA; her six sisters (Dolores, Wanda, Susan, Cathy, Carol, and Mary); and many friends. Sylvia's greatest joy was her ten grandchildren (Bree, Marcelle, Deanna, Michael, Chase, Alexis, Jordan, Cooper, Henry, and Sylvia Grace). "Grandmom" will live forever in their hearts. We will miss her smile and the love she poured into every life she touched-a love that knows no end.

Calling hours for Sylvia will be held on Wednesday evening, January 14th from 5-7 pm at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, January 15th at 10:00 am at St. Patrick Church 32 East Main St. Mystic. Her burial will be private at a later time. Sylvia's funeral mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting: stpatrickmystic.org