Obituary of Irene Swanson

Irene Crowe Swanson, 93, formerly of New Canaan, passed away September 20, 2022. She was the wife of the late Edward S. Swanson.

Irene was born in New Haven, the daughter of the late Fred and Susanna Bredin Crowe. She attended West Haven High School, and the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing where she obtained her registered nursing license. Irene worked at the Darien Convalescent Center and the Strawberry Hill Nursing Home.

Irene was an active member of the New Canaan Congregational Church for 47 years, and a longtime member of the Roton Point Beach Club. She did volunteer work for many causes in the New Canaan area, such as the New Canaan Library, the New Canaan Community Emergency Response Team, Meals on Wheels, the Open Doors homeless shelter, and the Visiting Nurses’ Association.

Irene loved staying active by playing tennis, swimming, and traveling all over the world. She loved spending summers on Long Island Sound. But most of all, Irene loved her family and friends.

Irene is survived by her sons, Richard Swanson (Caryn) and David Swanson; her daughters, Janice DiVasto (Michael) and Kathleen O’Grady (William); seven grandchildren, Samuel, Brooke, Sara, Kelly, Megan, Joel and Douglas; and four great grandchildren, Lily, Sawyer, Connor, and Kacey. She was predeceased by her brother, John R. Crowe.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the New Canaan Congregational Church, 23 Park Street, New Canaan CT 06840. Following the service, interment will take place in the church’s Memorial Garden.

Gifts in Irene’s memory may be made to the Open Doors Homeless Shelter, 4 Merritt Street, Norwalk CT 06854, opendoorsct.org (203-866-1057).