Elizabeth L. Swenson

Elizabeth Louise (Shimkus) Swenson, born in Gardner on July 22, 1940, a daughter of the late, Steven and Charlotte (Feltman) Shimkus. She graduated from Gardner High School in 1959 and attended classes at MWCC. In her younger years, she worked several secretarial positions in Gardner and Worcester. She also apprenticed at Whalom Playhouse and was Imogene Coca's dresser. She left the Gardner area for New York City in 1964, to pursue a career in Theatre. While in New York, she worked as an assistant to the story department, and editor at Universal Pictures on Park Avenue, NYC. While she was there she met many famous movie stars. She had parts in several T.V. commercials and did present work for magazines. She returned to the Gardner Area in 1975, where she met her future husband, Richard Swenson. They married the following year and were together for 36 years before he passed in 2012. She enjoyed working with her husband in their vegetable and flower gardens. She was a volunteer at the Salvation Army in Fitchburg, working with the children. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Gardner, for many years.

She leaves her step-sons Daniel and his wife, Yvette, and Richard, one step-granddaughter, Heather, and her children, Victoria, Ane, and Leila, and one step-grandson, Trever. She also is survived by her sisters, Linda Chase and her husband Dick, Alice Gallant and her husband Aslam Masih, and Nancy Giudette, and one brother, James Hakkinen. as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Baldwinville Nursing Home and Hospice for the wonderful care that she received from them. We also would like to thank Father Timothy Crellin for the kindness and compassion he showed her and for taking care of her spiritual needs.

Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in the Stone Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475, followed by a funeral at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral Home.

Elizabeth will be buried on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Greenbower Cemetery, Gardner, MA 

To leave an online condolence, please visit, www.stone-ladeau.com