Deborah Beth Swanson, 75, passed away on April 30, 2024 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida after living with Alzheimer’s for several years. She was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on July 23, 1948 where she was raised by her parents, Alden Edward Swanson, Sr. and Charlotte Edna Anderson Swanson. Summers were spent in Touisset, Rhode Island with many family members nearby. Deborah attended the schools in Attleboro and graduated from Attleboro High School in 1966. She furthered her education at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio and graduated in 1970. She was a dedicated member of Alpha Xi Delta. During those years, she befriended many and continued to take yearly trips with five of her best friends. They traveled to various parts of the US and abroad to Portugal, Costa Rica, Galapagos, and Ecuador to name a few. Putting her travel background to work, Deb took charge and was instrumental in setting up each year’s itineraries.
Family meant a lot to Deb. She became the favorite “Aunty Deb” or “Debbie-Do”. Many were fans of her fun loving spirit, love of music, dancing and her wonderful smile. She would light up a room when she walked in! She is remembered for leading the singing of “Jingle Bells” at each of the family Christmas Eve celebrations and cooking clam cakes at the family 4th of July clambakes.
Deborah’s work career in travel started at ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) while living in New York City. A job with Pan Am’s customer service brought her to Lorton, Virginia. While there, she was part of a Response Team that assisted families on the Pan Am flight 103-the crash over Lockerbie, Scotland. American Express offered Deb a job in Alpharetta, Georgia where she befriended three more dear friends who remained a constant comfort to her until her passing. After moving back to Franklin, Massachusetts, Deb became the Operations Manager for SAGA where she helped build and grow the Cruise Department from its inception. She was on the first cruise ship to sail down the Yangtze River in China in 1988 when it first opened to the public. As the Director of Product Planning for Ocean Cruises at Vantage, she managed Ocean Cruise inventory and interacted with the cruise lines. She was a faithful and dedicated employee which brought her to different parts of the country to live and many wonderful travel destinations.
Upon retirement, Deb worked part time in Sales at the Waterford Store where she loved interacting with customers. Having a long term desire to start a floral shop, after the passing of her mom, Deb moved to Wilmington, North Carolina to enjoy living in the South and spend many hours at her favorite spot-the beach. The floral shop never came to fruition. However, she became the top sales person in the Dillard’s Coach bag department. Volunteer work filled many hours in her weekly schedule.
A sports enthusiast, she was. Watching college football on television and attending Patriots and Boston Red Sox games made her happy. A sports highlight occurred in 2019 when she attended the Super Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia to watch the Patriots beat the Rams.
Tampa, Florida became her residence before moving to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida to be near family.
Deborah is survived by her sister, Kendra Swanson Davidsen, brother Alden Edward Swanson, Jr., sister-in-law Kathy Mello Swanson, brother-in-law Joel Peter Davidsen. five nephews: Dwight M. Davidsen, Kevin P. Davidsen, Adam P. Swanson, Seth H. Swanson, Aaron P. Swanson, two nieces: Kirsten S. Nelson, Gretchen B. Keneshea and 12 grandnieces and grandnephews.
Deborah is now reunited in heaven with her parents and grandparents. A Celebration of Life service will be held in Attleboro, Massachusetts at the Evangelical Covenant Church later this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL. 60601, the Evangelical Covenant Church 841 N. Main Street, Attleboro, MA. O2703, or Alpha Xi Delta Xi Foundation P.O. Box 390, Marietta, OH. 45750 (a fund established to rebuild and refurnish Deborah’s sorority that was recently damaged by fire).
