Obituary of Mary Swift

Mary Sargent Swift, 83, of Glastonbury, CT, passed away on April 20, 2013 due to complication from multiple sclerosis. Mary exhibited the first symptoms of MS in her 20's but was not diagnosed until the age of 70. At no time did she allow the disease to hold her back. Born December 15, 1929 in Passaic, NJ, daughter of the late Norris Burr Sargent and Louise Huntington (Fish) Sargent. Mary was raised in Passaic, NJ and vacationed on Fairfield beach in Fairfield, CT. She graduated from Passaic High School and received a Bachelors of Art from Colby College in 1952. Her love for the years she spent at Colby was exhibited in her faithful participation in a round robin letter she shared with her friends for over 50 years. In 1954, Mary married Edward C. Swift of North Scituate, MA settling in Glastonbury, CT in 1961 where they became part of the community and raised their family until 2005. Mary loved to cook, host a good party, play tennis and tend to her gardens. She was an accomplished decorative artist and was an associate member of the Historical Society of Early American Decorative Arts. During her empty nest years she spent her time combing northern Maine and New Hampshire for antiques. She with the help of her loving husband continued to enjoy operas at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City and performances at her beloved Goodspeed Opera House. Mary handled the end of her life with grace like so many other things she did. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Ed; her son Edward (Ned) C. Swift Jr. and wife Barbara Swift; grandchildren Edward (Cody) C. Swift III and Emily Swift; her daughter Louise (Weezy) S. Price and husband Peter Price; granddaughters Sarah Eliza Price and Catherine Ellis Price. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 May 6, 2013 at the South Congregational Church, 949 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.