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Margaret Elizabeth Swanson

By T.J. Woodward

Margaret Elizabeth Swanson, age 98, passed away on November 24, 2014. Born September 27, 1916 at home on the family farm in the town of Pembroke, Margaret was the third and youngest daughter of George and Genevieve Judge Burns. She was married to John E. Swanson at East Pembroke in1943.

Margaret (Peg) graduated from East Pembroke High School.  As valedictorian of the graduating class, a program of the Great Depression provided Peg the chance to attend Buffalo State Teachers College free of charge launching her life-long teaching career.  She started teaching in a one-room school in Otto, New York, followed by another one-room school in Alden, New York.

In 1942 Peg was hired to teach elementary grades at the New York School for the Blind in Batavia. She enjoyed her 31 years there and was truly fond of her students often speaking of and celebrating their accomplishments.  Peg and John enjoyed chaperoning students from the Blind School on Senior Trips to Florida, New York City, Chicago, and Battle Lake, Minnesota. During her career, she was a member and local representative of the American Instructors of the Blind.

With her husband, she enjoyed traveling, dancing, and playing cards with their many friends and relatives. They made frequent, memorable visits to family in Boise, Idaho, and spent many enjoyable trips to stay with friends, David and Maryann Barton, in Las Vegas, NV.  We will miss her wry sense of humor and her toe-tapping as soon as the music started.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church and belonged to the Alter and Rosary Society often volunteering for the fund-raising bazaars and picnics.

Peg was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John, parents, and sisters Catharine (Rita) Wheeler of Avon and Genevieve (Jane) Christner of Pavilion. She is survived by her son Kenneth (Ann) Swanson of Boise ID; grandson David (Kira) Swanson of Mt. Vernon, WA; and Sarah Swanson (Jon) of Boise, ID and numerous dear nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the Genesee County Nursing Home who oversaw her care with dedication and kindness during the end of her life. There will no showing but a memorial service celebrating her life will be held at a later date.  To leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or for more information call (585) 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

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