Obituary of Lenore S. Swanson

Lenore S. Swanson

Lenore Sophia Swanson passed away on Easter, her favorite holiday.  She was born August 26, 1926 in Malden, MA.  That made her 92 and a half years old.  Though you couldn’t exactly call her old.

Some of us called her Lenore, others called her Mulkie.

She was the daughter of Gustaf Ragnar Hulteen from Amal, Sweden and Lilly Alvida (Spongberg) Hulteenfrom Goteborg, Sweden.  Lenore was the first generation born here in the United States.  She was very proud of her Swedish heritage.

Lenore graduated from Fisher School in Boston, Class of 1946.  When she attended her last reunion, she was honored for being the oldest alumnus attending.  She was treated to a bicycle taxi ride around Boston Common and received several accolades.  

Lenore loved Plympton.  She was a library trustee from 1973-1976.  Served as an Auditor 1974-1976 and was Assistant Town Clerk during those same years. She was a poll teller from 1974-1975 and Plympton Town Clerk from 1976-1982 and again from 1988-1997.  Lenore served on the Board of Appeals from 1982-1984 and the Wage & Personnel Board from 1982-1988.  She was the Plympton Election Warden from 1997-2004.  After moving to Plymouth, she was a Plymouth Election Poll Clerk.

Lenore belonged to many groups and organizations over the years including the Ladies Sewing Circle(Plympton and Kingston), Eastern Star, Plympton Garden Club, Plympton Historical Society, Town Clerks Association, 4H, the Viking Club, and the International Order of Vikings.  She was one of the founding members of Plympton Baseball.  Lenore was an original board member of Habitat for Humanity.  She reluctantly resigned from Habitat during her 90thyear.  

Lenore received many citations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and honorariums from many other organizations.  Some of her special recognitions:  Hammer it Home from Habitat for Humanity for her long term dedication, 2005 Citizenship Citation from the Plymouth County Commissioners for her dedication in making Plympton a better community, 1997 Recognition from the People of Plympton, Business Woman of the Year presented by the Business Women’s Club of Plymouth, and Helping Hands for her 4H work.

Lenore loved to travel – except on a plane, but she did it anyway.  She went to Sweden with her father in 1971, again in 1983 with Gail, Brandi & Kami and one last trip in 2009 with Ralph, Nancy & Ned.   She’s been to Israel, England, Greece, Italy, Iceland and Bermuda.  She also traveled extensively throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii.  Lenore and Ralph even spent a few weeks at a Senior Hostel while exploring Indian archeological sites in Arizona.

Lenore’s 90th birthday party was a family reunionattended by many cousins, second cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.  We even managed to get a 5-generation picture.

Later in life, Lenore enjoyed being with her family, visiting with friends, embroidering, knitting, going for rides and going out to eat.  She loved the Nelson Street beach and the Plymouth waterfront.

Lenore is survived by her four children and their spouses:  Gail & Chuck Laflash of West Yarmouth, Nancy & Ned Morrison of Kingston, Glenn & Fern Swanson of Halifax, and David & Pamela Swanson of Middleboro.  Six grandchildren: Brandi (Michael) O’Neil, Kami Stone (Troy Hammond), Nicole Talbot(Dennis Twofoot), Karen (Gift) Chimwaza, Cindy Laflash, and Kyle Swanson (Zach Goldsmith). Eightgreat-grandchildren:  Brooke Nadeau, Billy & Nina O’Neil, Nathan & Emily Chimwaza, and Riley, Kim, & SJ Laflash.  Two great great-grandchildren: Laila & Luca.  She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Carlton & Lillian Hulteen of Hyannis and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She is also survived by her best friends; Helen Reynolds, Dot Holt, and Arline Woosley, as well as her fiancé, Ralph Martin.

Calling hours will be at the Shepherd Funeral Home on Route 106 in Kingston on Friday, May 10, from 4 – 8 p.m.  Eastern Star will conduct a short service at 6 p.m.

The funeral is Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at the Plympton Congregational Church on Route 58 in Plympton.  Burial will follow.  All are invited to the church hall after the burial for good food, strong coffee, and funny stories (Lenore’s wishes).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Plympton Public Library, 5 Palmer Road, Plympton, MA 02367 or Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, 411 Main Street, Ste. 6, Yarmouthport, MA  02675.  Thank you.