Frances C. (Zemla) Swasey

Frances C. (Zemla) Swasey, lifetime resident of Portland, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2018 with her loving family at her bedside.

Frances was born on November 27, 1918 in Portland.  She was the daughter of Axel and Christine Zemla, one of seven children.  She attended Portland schools and graduated from Deering High School in 1936.  Frances married Everett P. Swasey on August 31, 1940.  They remained married for the next twenty plus years.  Together they had three children.

Frances had a tremendous work ethic.  First, as a Veterinary Assistant for Dr. Stiles of Falmouth, then as a stay at home mom for many years, finally retiring from Mercy Hospital as a Unit Secretary in 1980.  Once retired, to help occupy her time, she nannied for the Gendron’s and the Thompson’s, who she loved dearly.

She was a lifetime member of the Payson Park Evangelical Free Church and she never missed a Sunday, well into her eighties.  She was also a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star Cornerstone Chapter and The Grange.

Frances enjoyed catching a baseball game, going to bean suppers and making her rounds visiting family and friends.  She usually had donuts or cookies in hand.  She looked forward to holidays, Sunday dinners spent with family, live theater (especially when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren performed), and yearly trips to New Hampshire with her sister Alice and their grandchildren.  We think its safe to say, Frances took great pride in her family.

Frances was predeceased by:  her parents, Axel and Christine Zemla; brothers, Richard, Ervin, Kenneth, and Walter Zemla; sister, Evelyn LaBerge; and life-long friend, Marilyn Ames.  She is survived by:  her son, Brian Swasey and his wife Debra; daughters, Pamela Russo and Tonya Doughty and her husband, Charles; grandchildren, Brian Swasey, Kristeen Arntz, Karen Farley, Kayla Russo, Melissa Cushman, and Greg Doughty; sister, Alice Lewis; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

We are thankful for her loving caretakers at the South Portland Nursing Home and Hospice of Southern Maine.  We would also like to give a heartfelt thanks to Jenn Bell for all her care and assistance with “Big Nan”.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2018 and a funeral service at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland.  Interment will be at Brooklawn Memorial Park following the funeral service.

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