Joan Swan
M. Joan Swan, age 89, died at home surrounded by her family on Jan. 21, 2025. Joan was born in Buffalo, New York.
Growing up, Joan spent many summers with her family at Muskoka Lake in Ontario, Canada, and loved visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, on the steamship boat Cayuga that her father captained. In 1957, Joan married her childhood sweetheart, Ray Swan, and together they raised four children. From Buffalo, they moved to Liverpool, New York, and then to Hopkinton with Ray’s job. In Hopkinton, Joan worked as a sales clerk at Hopkinton Drug for 17 years. She also volunteered for many hours serving meals at the Hopkinton Senior Center. But her most important hours were spent as a devoted wife, mother and homemaker.
As a family, Joan, Ray and the girls spent many summers camping together, especially loving their trips to Acadia National Park. Joan and Ray also traveled extensively after the girls finished college. For the last 20 years, they annually went back to the Inn on the River on Grand Island, New York, to spend time with lifelong friends.
Joan especially loved to play bridge, and she and Ray also enjoyed playing tennis, through which they formed special and lasting friendships. Joan also enjoyed card games with her children and grandchildren. Joan and Ray spent many hours on their back porch together, playing cards, socializing with friends and watching hummingbirds while enjoying their beautiful yard.
Joan leaves behind her beloved family: Raymond Swan (her husband of nearly 68 years), daughters Janette Koenig (Steven Koenig), Lynette Swan Nealon and Jacqueline Swan (Timothy Smith), six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Joan is preceded in death by her and Ray’s young son, Michael Swan.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 26, from 1-4 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Friends of the Hopkinton Seniors, 28 Mayhew Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748, or the American Diabetes Association, diabetes.org.
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Joan was a treasured friend from my childhood. We walked to school together, I went to her home to watch TV before many had them, she was one of my bridesmaids and I loved her Mom and Dad . Ray was in her life from a young age and they always had a beautiful relationship. While I live in Tennessee, at Christmas we would have a nice visit by phone. Joan was a special person. I pray for Ray and his family that they find peace and comfort.