Emma C. Swetzes

Emma (Carroll) Swetzes, 93, died Friday, February 16, 2018, at Woodlake of Tolland after a long illness. Born in Manchester, CT, she was a lifelong resident. She graduated from St. James School, Class of 1939, and Manchester High School, Class of 1943. At age 20, Emma travelled to New York to join the US Marine Corps Women's Reserve, but the USMCWR was demobilized before she completed training when WWII ended. She was employed for over 27 years as a bookkeeper at Manchester Plymouth before retiring. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland and Europe, and was proud of her Irish and Swedish heritage.

Emma attended Manchester Community College, receiving a letter of commendation from the CT Society of Certified Public Accountants and the John J. Oleksiw Award for Excellence in Accounting, graduating with Associates Degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. She was a lifetime member of Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Beta Gama honors societies. She was a member of the Genealogical Society of CT and was a former member of the Manchester Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.

She was predeceased by her parents, Edward William Carroll and Emma (Johnson) Carroll, and her husband, Michael Swetzes, as well as two sisters, Grace (Carroll) Smith and Lillian (Carroll) Hattin.

She is survived by two sons and their wives, Michael S. and Connie Swetzes of Coventry, and Bruce and Dolores Swetzes of Avon, grandchildren Kathryn and Mary Swetzes of Coventry, Michelle and Christopher Swetzes of Avon, and Danielle Failla of Southington, great grandson Brayden Paul, special friend Millie Kos, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Village at Buckland Court, Woodlake at Tolland, and Vernon Visiting Nurses hospice care for their compassionate and professional care during Emma's declining health.

Arrangements are being handled by the Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St, Manchester. At her request, there are no calling hours. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care, Visiting Nurse & Health Services of Connecticut, 8 Keynote Dr, Vernon, CT 06066 or to Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation, Inc., 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106 to be directed to Vie For The Kids to support pediatric cancer patients.