Shirley Ann Swanson-Multer

Shirley Anne (Greenleaf) Swanson-Multer, 87, died July 7, 2017 at Wingate at Hampden. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on February 1, 1930, she was the only child to Grafton and Hazel (Allwood) Greenleaf. As a child, she lived on Grace St. in Cranston, RI. She was a 1947 graduate of Cranston High School and continued her education at Laboratory Institute of Merchandising in Manhattan, NY. Shirley and her first husband, Clarence “Swanee”, raised their family in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Shirley worked at Adams Drug in North Kingstown, RI and Buckley Pharmacy in East Longmeadow. She was an avid golfer with two holes-in-one and a member of Hampden Country Club and Wilbraham Country Club. She was also a member of the Wickford Yacht Club, and enjoyed crafts, games including bridge and mah jongg, puzzles and entertaining. She will be remembered for sense of humor and quick wit, her love of all kinds of games and was especially skilled at solving word games, and she could recite the alphabet backwards faster than most could forwards. Shirley will also be remembered for making crafty decorations for all of the holidays which are treasured and still used by her family.

Shirley was predeceased by her husbands, Clarence Swanson, Jr. (Swanee) and Ray Multer, a son, Craig Swanson (formerly of Wickford, RI), and a grandson, Jeffrey Swanson (formerly of Wickford, RI). Her survivors include her children, Sandra Boyko and her husband Michael  of N. Weare, NH, Steven Swanson and his wife, Karen of Chicopee, her former daughter-in-law, Alanna Swanson of Wickford, RI, grandsons, Christopher and Erik Boyko and Kyle Swanson. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews.

 Shirley’s family wishes to thank the entire staff at Wingate at Hampden for their outstanding and compassionate care of Shirley.

 A Calling Hour will be held on Sunday, August 13 from 11am – 12noon at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Service, 15 Ludlow Ave., Springfield with a Memorial Service officiated by Rev. Clarence Finch to follow in the funeral home at 12noon. Shirley’s burial will take place privately by her family in Coventry, Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Activities Department at Wingate at Hampden, 34 Main St., Hampden, MA, 01036.