Julia Swanson

Born August 28, 1921 in Stockton, a daughter of the late Welcome DeForest and Barbara Bowers Norton.

Julia worked alongside her husband, his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Bernice Swanson on the family dairy farm, and in later years, was in partnership with son Stephen. They expanded the farm from 96 to 800 acres. She also was employed as a part-time bookkeeper at Ellington Hardwood and at several other small businesses in Cassadaga. Our mother also took care of her beloved husband Kenneth, who had Alzheimer’s for 11 years at home.

Julia, along with her sister Louise Dalrymple, were known as the “Rappin’ Grannies.” They wrote poems and performed them as “raps” at family events, senior citizens and at events in Florida. Julia and Kenneth loved to ballroom dance and we know our mother is waltzing in heaven’s ballroom with our father. They loved cards and belonged to a pinochle club for over 40 years. They enjoyed traveling and made several trips to Hawaii, California, Texas and Florida.

She lived with Susan and Matt Farnham in later years. Julia was well cared for in the last few years of life by her aides at Orchard Grove and Heritage Park and Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care. A special mention to Amanda Rothwell and Susan Farnham.

Wife of 66 years to the late Kenneth Swanson whom she married Dec. 8, 1939 and died January 26, 2005; mother of, Stephen (Teena) Swanson of Cassadaga, Barbara (Frederick) Robinette of VA, Kay (Don) Kriner of NC and Susan (Matthew) Farnham of Mayville; grandmother of Theresa Etienne, Joseph, Lisa and Michelle Gagliano, Tonya and Stephen Swanson, Jr., Trisha Koppes, Kristina and Erik Johanson, Julia Kind, Amanda Rothwell, Asa and Lucas Farnham; great-grandmother of 21; great-great-grandmother of six; sister of the late Harriet Thorp, Louise Dalrymple, Chauncy, William and Ruth Norton. Also survived by nieces and nephews.

Funeral service 11 a.m. Tuesday in Stockton Community Church, 4554 W. Railroad Ave, Stockton. Visitation 4-7 p.m. Monday in Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery, Stockton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to: Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmont Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.