Kathleen (Sylvia) Swansey, 79, of Dartmouth, beloved wife of George E. Swansey passed from this life on Saturday March 15, 2014. She will take her place in heaven beside her loved ones who passed before her, including her daughter Maureen (Swansey) Teser, her parents, Frank and Ellen Sylvia, and her brother Raymond Sylvia.
Along with her husband George to whom she was married for fifty-seven years, she is survived by her children, Joanne Jackson and her husband George, Michael Swansey and his wife Michelle, and Kathy Girouard and her husband Ken, and her son-in-law, Michael Teser. Also celebrating her rise to heaven and eternal life with God are her eight grandchildren, three-great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law, Bernard Swansey, and several nieces and nephews.
Kathleen was born on March 4, 1935 in New Bedford where she lived for most of her life. She attended and graduated from Holy Family High School. She was a former member of the Guard of Honor Society and the Daughters of Isabella.
Kathleen retired from the New Bedford School Department where she worked as a special needs teacher's aide at Carney Academy.
Kathleen and George enjoyed many travels and adventures, including visiting every one of the fifty states. They were members of the Wampanoag Camping Club, NAFCA. In recent years they became snowbirds and shared their time between Massachusetts and Sarasota, Florida. They enjoyed their time in Florida at the Sun & Fun R.V. Resort with the many friends they have made along the way.
Together we will celebrate Kathleen's life with a gathering at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford on Thursday from 4-7 PM. Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's organization listed as follows: www.alz.org/join_the_cause_tributes.asp and click on "Find a tribute" and enter "Kathleen Swansey" in the search field. Please sign the guestbook online. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.