Betty M. (Hopkins) Swenson, 92 of Franklin, died Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at Kindred Transitional Care after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Charles J. Swenson Jr., who passed away in 1997.
Born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada on November 20, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Lewis H. and Leah A. (Perry) Hopkins. Betty's family moved to Massachusetts from Nova Scotia in the 1930s, settling in Arlington; she was a 1939 graduate of Arlington High School and went on to graduate from Burdett business school in Boston.
During World War II, Betty was an active member of the USO and organized dances for servicemen on leave from the war. It was not uncommon for Betty and her fellow USO girlfriends to fill the Arlington- via-Harvard Square bus with GIs on dance night.
Betty was a librarian at the Franklin Public Library for 22 years; she loved her work and especially the people the library serves. She was a lifelong member of the Federated Church where she taught Sunday school for many years, was an active member of the Alden Club and The Kings Daughters, and contributed generously to many charities.
Betty is survived by her daughter Sandra (Swenson) Sarkinen and husband Robert of Uxbridge, son Charles and wife Elizabeth of Bellvue, CO, and son Keith of Franklin; three grandchildren, Bryan Sarkinen, Brooke (Swenson) Nelson, and Hunter Swenson; step-granddaughter Sally Roy; two great-grandchildren, Brody and Zoey Nelson; and many nieces and nephews. She was beloved by all.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 11:00am at Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main St. Franklin.
Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am.
Betty left the world a better place than the way she found it. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Franklin Public Library.