Mrs. Swahnberg was born in Keene on June 11, 1924 to Amelia “Kit” (Gregoire) Hanrahan and John J. Hanrahan. She attended school in West Swanzey and Keene and graduated from Keene High School in 1942. Following graduation, Mrs. Swahnberg worked at the Cheshire County Savings Bank as a teller until her marriage to Richard D. Swahnberg on September 24, 1944 in West Swanzey.
Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Swahnberg lived in several states as part of Richard’s military service, settling permanently in Keene in 1945. The Swahnbergs also maintained a winter residence in Naples, Florida until recently when they moved to RiverMead in Peterborough.
She is survived by her husband and partner of 69 years, Richard D. Swahnberg of Peterborough, her daughter Nadine Swahnberg and husband Anthony Malensek of Lakewood, Colo., daughter Judith Swahnberg and husband Carl Novotny of Wellesley, Mass., daughter Mary Piro and husband Robert Piro of Norwich, Vermont, and son Richard G. Swahnberg and wife Kathrine Piper Swahnberg of Keene, her brother, Jack Hanrahan and his wife Joyce Hanrahan of Wells, Maine, her sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Hanrahan, grandchildren Matthew Malensek, Chad Novotny, Ryan Novotny, Nicholas Novotny, Kathryn Novotny, Samantha Piro, Jacquelyn Piro, and Lily Swahnberg and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her brother, Charles Hanrahan.
“Jammy” as she was called by her grandchildren, was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. During their years in Keene, Mr. and Mrs. Swahnberg hosted numerous foreign exchange students and so have many international “children.”
Mrs. Swahnberg was well-known as a volunteer and a philanthropist. She served on the Board of Directors of Prospect Hill and was a benefactor of many local institutions. She enjoyed her gardens, theatre and fashion, and loved to decorate her home for Christmas with her collection of “carolers.” She was a devoted Red Sox fan and enjoyed the final game of this year’s World Series. She always looked forward to family get-togethers on Spofford Lake, cruising on the “party boat” and watching the fireworks on the 4th of July. She also leaves behind numerous hand-knit mittens and latch-hooked rugs as family heirlooms.
In keeping with her wishes, there are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernard Church, 173 Main St., Keene at 10 am, Wednesday, November 6th, with interment following at Monadnock View Cemetary, Park Ave., Keene.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Mrs. Swahnberg’s memory to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, D-H/Geisel Office of Development, Office of Gift Recording, One Medical Center Drive, Hinman Box 7070, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001 or to the Children’s Hospital, Boston at https://giving.childrenshospital.org or to the charity of your choice.
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