Rita M. Swenson, 100
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Rita Margaret Swenson, 100, of 18 Willow St. died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at her home.
Born in Easthampton on Nov. 12, 1912, daughter of Frank and Minnie Barcomb LaCoy, she attended schools in Easthampton and Northampton and graduated from Chicopee High School. She later lived in Monroe Bridge and moved to North Adams in 1943.
Mrs. Swenson was a breeder of award-winning Persian cats, and sold prize kittens to the then royal family of Iraq. She was the head judge and an officer of the Cat Fanciers Association, serving as regional vice president for more than 25 years. When she retired in 1980, she received the association's Medal of Honor.
She was a communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church. During World War II, she worked at the former Sprague Electric Co.
Her husband, John Henry Swenson, whom she married in 1932, died on Sept. 15, 2001.
She leaves a son, Christopher J. Swenson of Seminary, Miss.; a sister, Jeanette Dillon of North Adams; seven grandchildren, Christopher J. Swenson Jr., Jennifer Swenson, Josephine Swenson, Erica Swenson, Stephen Chipchase, John Chipchase and Janet Chipchase; nine great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Her siblings Marion Mokus, Dorothy LaCoy, Christine Pugliese and Donald, Francis and Robert LaCoy predeceased her.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mrs. Swenson will be Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will be at a later date in Southview Cemetery.
A calling hour will be held Wednesday morning from 10 to 11 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in care of the funeral home.