Laconia------Priscilla E. Swartzwelder, 88, of 435 Union Avenue, died at Ledgeview, Taylor Community, on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 following a short illness.  Mrs. Swartzwelder was the widow of William W. Swartzwelder who died in 1979.

         Mrs. Swartzwelder was born October 6, 1918 in Peabody, MA, the daughter of Edward M. and Maude (Barrett) Elder.  She attended schools in Peabody and Lynn, MA.  She graduated from Lynn English High School, Northfield School for Girls and Simmons College.

         Mrs. Swartzwelder and her late husband were married on December 8, 1939.  They resided in Lynn, Massachusetts, Hampton Beach, Laconia and Gilford, New Hampshire.  She assisted her late husband in his restaurants in Boston, Mass. and Hampton Beach, NH. While in Laconia, she worked at Sawyers Jewelry.  She also worked at Stafford Oil and Howard Oil, retiring in 1983. 

         Mrs. Swartzwelder was a member of the Gilford Community Church.  She was also a member of the 50 Plus Club in Meredith and a member of Eastern Star.

         Mrs. Swartzwelder was artistic, talented and creative.  She enjoyed doing needle point and knitting.  She taught knitting for the CAP Program in Meredith and all our friends.    She was an avid reader and scrabble player.

         Survivors include a son, William M. Swartzwelder and his wife, Marie, of Broadbrook, Connecticut; three daughters, Marlis Clark and her husband, Richard, of Clearfield, Utah, Gretchen Shortway of Laconia, NH, Heidi Edgar and her husband, Michael, of Meredith, NH; nine grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Louise Grant, of Florida and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband of forty years, William W. Swartzwelder, she was predeceased by her parents, one brother and two sisters.  Mrs. Swartzwelder delighted in watching her children grow up on the slopes of Gunstock.

         The family would like to thank those who helped care for their mother, especially the nursing staff at the Taylor Home Community Assisted Living and Congregate Living Center. 

         There will be no calling hours.

         A private graveside service will be held at the family lot in McCoy Cemetery, Gilford, NH.

         In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH 03249 or to the Meredith Public Heath Nursing Association, 45 NH Route 25, Meredith, NH 03253.

         Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.