Gloria Ham Swanson of Winchester, widow of Richard W. Swanson, passed away suddenly at the age of 90 on February 28, 2012 in Brookhaven at Lexington (MA) where she had made her home for the last four years.
Born in San Francisco on August 18, 1921, she grew up in the finger lakes of Auburn, New York with her brother Philip Ham. There she learned to sail at the age of 14; sailing was always a part of her life.
Graduating from Wellesley College in 1944, she married the great love of her life, Richard Swanson, a lieutenant in the Navy, stationed through the war years in Utah. They returned to Winchester and raised four children -- Peter, David, Shelley and Stephen -- who in turn had eight children and eight grandchildren so far.
She was a member of the Winchester Wellesley Club, and also worked diligently all her life for the Winton Club and Winchester Hospital.
A celebration of her life will be held at Brookhaven at Lexington, 1010 Waltham Street, Lexington MA on Sunday, March 11, between 1:00 and 3:00, with remembrances at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Brookhaven Employee Scholarship Fund (Checks made out to "Brookhaven at Lexington" with a notation of "Employee Scholarship Fund".)