Carol Ann Swanson (Edmonston) 83, beloved wife of the late Joel A. Swanson, and beloved mother and grandmother, was called home to God peacefully on Monday, August 15th surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Cambridge she was the daughter of the late Donald and late Cecilia (Donovan) Edmonston. She grew up in Braintree, MA and was a graduate of Archbishop Williams High School, Class of 1956.
She worked at the New England Telephone Company for many years and later for 11 years at the South Shore Hospital, Weymouth. Carol devoted her life to her faith and spent her retirement as an active member of the Holy Ghost Church and had a weekly devotion to the Adoration of the Eucharist. It brought her happiness to donate clothes and food to the underserved in her community. Carol also hosted marriage rehearsals at St. Francis Xavier Church in South Weymouth for many years and volunteered with the Family Healing and Recovery Ministry at the Holy Ghost Church in Whitman and the Holy Apostle Parish in Hanson. She was an inspiration and light to those around her.
Carol was best known for the love she had for her family and friends. She devoted her life to raising her family. Her famous apple pies, molasses cookies, pin wheels and blueberry muffins would disappear as quickly as they were baked. She enjoyed traveling and spent time in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Panama, Canada, New Hampshire and Florida. She often vacationed with her husband and friends to Anna Maria Island.
She was full of quick wit and words of wisdom and enjoyed many lively conversations with all who knew her. She adored her friendships and gathered frequently for coffee and breakfast with the ‘girls’. She thought the world of each and every one of them.
Carol is survived by her children, Joel D. Swanson and late wife Sharon of Marlboro, Cheryl Blanchard and her husband David of Kingston, Karen McWilliams and her husband Frank of Whitman, John M. Swanson and his wife Julie of Middleboro, Michael Swanson and his wife Lisa of Hingham, and Patricia Driscoll and her husband Daniel of Whitman.
She is also survived by her sister Mary Jean Edmonston of North Carolina, her brother Robert Edmonston and wife Pamela of Lexington, MA. She is predeceased by her sister Nancy Kane and brothers, Donald Edmonston and John (Jack) Edmonston.
Carol was also grandmother to her cherished 14 grandchildren: Alexandra, Benjamin, Timothy, Kristen (Mike), Kelly (Tim), Nicholas (predeceased), Mary, Joel (Jeykelisse), Matthew, Caitlin, Ryan, Zachary, Alexander, Luke, and great grandchild, Madelyn. She was overjoyed with expecting another great grandbaby. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend her visiting hours on Monday August 22 from 4-7 pm in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @the rotary) Whitman and her funeral services on Tuesday August 23 at 9:45 am from the Chapel followed by a funeral Mass 10:30 am in the Holy Ghost Church. Burial will follow in the Colebrook Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their many thanks to all her wonderful care givers from the South Shore Hospice care team.
In lieu of flowers, remembrance donations may be made in her name to the Holy Ghost Church, 518 Washington Street, Whitman, MA 02382 or to the Family Healing and Recovery Ministry c/o Holy Apostles Parish, 575 Monponsett Street, Halifax, MA 02338