Obituary of Priscilla Swanson

Priscilla Esther Swanson, 103, of Memory Garden, Fairmount Ave., Jamestown, formerly of Ashville, NY, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 1,2020 in UPMC Chautauqua. Priscilla was born March 30, 1917, at her family home in Frewsburg, NY, the daughter of the late Frank E. Thayer and Pheobe Fuller Thayer. As a child growing up on the family farm, she enjoyed riding her pony, reading, and helping with the chores. Priscilla loved school and graduated from Frewsburg Central in 1934, a year ahead of her class. While she was a student there, she played basketball for 3 years. When she turned 18, Priscilla enrolled in the WCA Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1938. Her first nursing job was at the former General Hospital in Jamestown. On April 15, 1941, Priscilla married her High School sweetheart, Earl M. Swanson, who was serving in the U.S. Army. She traveled with him when he was stationed in the U.S. and worked in several different hospitals as a Registered Nurse. After Earl was discharged from the Army, they bought a house in Ashville, NY, where they lived for 47 years until his death in 1988. Here they raised their four children and enjoyed Lake Chautauqua. Priscilla worked at both the Jamestown General and WCA Hospitals in the emergency room, surgery and labor and delivery for a total of 28 years. She loved nursing and helping people. She and Earl both loved bowling, golfing and watching their children take part in school sporting events, band and chorus concerts. Both were members of the Ashville United Methodist Church and served on various committees. Priscilla loved babysitting and spending time with her 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She adored babies and loved to hold and rock them. Priscilla enjoyed reading, playing pinochle and going for long walks. Traveling was also a passion and she traveled extensively after her retirement from WCA Hospital with Senior Citizen groups .She visited over 20 countries. Two of her favorite trips were to Germany and Switzerland. As a young lady she always wanted to see the world. She did! Following her retirement, Priscilla was an active volunteer at WCA Hospital and the American Red Cross for many years and a member of AARP. She belonged to the Retired Nurses Association and a social group called the "Lady Bugs". Priscilla loved life! She was a joy to be around and loved people. She believed in "smelling the roses" and in staying in touch with friends. She and Earl loved their winter trips to Florida and their family trips with the camper. Priscilla was a very kind woman, always willing to help. She taught her children by example and that visiting the elderly and sick was our responsibility. She took great delight in knowing that her family was healthy and happy. Even through tough times, Priscilla remained positive and encouraging. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful role model and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Earl M. Swanson whom she married April 15, 1941 and who died January 20, 1988, her brother Kenneth Thayer and sisters Margaret M. Thayer and Francis McNell. Surviving are her four children: sons Errol D. Swanson of Westfield, NY and Arcadia FL., Melford "Mel" and Mary Swanson of Sherman, NY; daughters Helen and Rick Willman of Lakewood, NY and Eileen and Sam LaPorte of Westfield, NY. Her ten grandchildren: Nolan and Amy Swanson of Westfield, NY (Darien, Carson and Braylon), Patrick and Natalie Swanson of Fredonia, NY (Josie and Johnny), Lesley and Neil Stamper Atlanta, GA (Madeline and Anna Kate), Ryan and Laura Swanson of Panama, NY (Lucy and Henry), Joel Dittman of Rochester, NY (Carter and Harper), Mary Ann and Joe Loverme of Jamestown, NY (Justin, Kaitlyn and Trevor), Kimberly Swanson of La Grange, KY (Elijah and Aliyah), Lorre Swanson of Killeen, TX, Brooke and Ryan Calkins of Jamestown, NY (Piper and Nola), and Meredith Sheesley of Ashville, NY, also two great great grandchildren, Isabella and Landon Conley. A private family funeral service will be held in the Lind Funeral Home. Pastor Vincent Sanzo, pastor of the Lakeshore Assembly of God will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in the Lind Funeral Home. Due to Covid-19 restrictions social distancing will be observed and masks must be worn while inside the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, Chautauqua County Chapter, 325 East Fourth St, Jamestown, NY 14702-0099 or to the Ashville United Methodist Church, 2180 North Maple Ave. Ashville, NY 14710.