Obituary of Lucy Merriman Swanson

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024 our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Lucy Merriman Swanson of Forest Hills, NY departed this life at the age of 104. Born on November 2, 1919 in Otisco, NY to Frank and Agnes Merriman, Lucy spent a happy childhood on their Kamm Road farm with her loving parents and cherished siblings. She went to grade school in a one-room school house before attending Tully Central School and graduated from Syracuse University in 1941 with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics. Lucy worked at a rifle factory inspecting barrels during WW II, after which she moved to New York City. There, she met her husband Arthur Swanson, whom she married in 1948. After settling in Forest Hills, Queens she became a devoted mother to their three children, Linda, Roger, and Maria, and ensured summers were spent in Syracuse, forever maintaining a deep connection to her upstate roots. A devout Catholic, Lucy was baptized and raised at Saint Patrick's in Otisco and was an active parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills for over 70 years. After retiring from a successful career in real estate, Lucy was cared for lovingly by her daughter Maria Swanson and Maria's partner Greg Hunt until her passing. Lucy was predeceased by her devoted husband Arthur, her parents Frank and Agnes, her siblings Paul, Gerald, Vincent Merriman and Arlene Swete, and treasured son-in-law Douglas Grady. She will be greatly missed by her children Linda Grady, Roger and Maria Swanson (Greg Hunt), as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren, James and Rani Grady (parents to Avinash and Anantim), Andrew Grady (father to Kevin, Stephanie, and Joey), and Brenda Grady and her partner Alex Franklin, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who loved her dearly. Calling hours will be from 4-7PM on Monday, April 22 at Ryan Funeral Home in Marcellus, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM in Church of the Nativity at St. Patrick's in Otisco, on Tuesday, April 23 and the Rite of Committal and burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Otisco. Contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or The Epilepsy Foundation.