Elizabeth J. (Swindlehurst) Sweeney

Elizabeth “Betty” Sweeney, was a caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.  She left this world on her 92nd birthday, May 6th 2021, with family by her side. Betty was born in Melrose, Massachusetts to James and Viola (Dunlop) Swindlehurst and spent most of her life as a resident of Ware. She was the wife of the late Arnold Sweeney for 50 years, who she met while working as a seamstress at Carters in Gilbertville.  She worked for many years at Sears and came out of retirement to work in the XRay department at Mary Lane Hospital, eventually settling in as a volunteer at the Ware Senior Center.  Betty loved to live life to its fullest, spending many Sunday’s polka dancing and, in younger years, bowling or working at craft fairs.  She was an artist and crafter who enjoyed the challenge of making the ordinary extraordinary.  Growing up as the oldest girl in a large foster family, Betty learned the importance of helping others in their time of need.  She was often liberal with her advice and ideas on how to renovate the lives of others, never shying away from answering a call for help.  Family was always the most important thing to her.  She perfected spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren, deriving great pleasure in proudly watching them grow and learn to live life with the same gusto that she had.  She will be missed for her laughter, her ability to never take life too seriously and the seemingly endless love she showered on her family.

Betty is survived by her children, Peter (Peggy) of California, Patty (Tom) Clark of Ware, Jim (Kathy) of New Hampshire and Kathy (Jeff) Radziunas of Connecticut; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sisters, Ann Kupiec, Shirly Morrissette and Marion Norton. She was predeceased by her sister Isabell Veaudry, and her brothers Jim Swindlehurst and Ed Harhausen.

A brief Funeral Service for Betty will be held in Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St., in Ware on Monday, May 10, 2021 at 10:30AM.  Visitation will be from 10 to 10:30AM, prior to the Service.  Burial will follow in New Saint William Cemetery.   

The family would like to thank Alice’s Angels - Reecey, Kathy, Marissa, Vicky, and Rose, and the staff of the Baystate Home Health and Hospice Services for the loving care they provided to our mother.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Ware Senior Center, 1Robbins Rd., Ware, MA 01082. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Ware, with Senior Center written on the memo line.

An online guestbook is available at charbonneaufh.com

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