CLAIRE SWANSON
Claire Vecchione Swanson, LCDR USN, Retired, 96, of Wheeling, WV, died on Monday, May 11, 2015.
She was born on March 26, 1919 in Benwood, WV, the daughter of the late Thomas and Grace Vecchione.
She was a registered nurse from Wheeling Hospital and received her BS degree from Duquesne University in 1949.
She served as a Navy Nurse from 1942 to 1967 during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. She was a former Instructor at Wheeling Hospital and she also taught hospital corpsmen for 10 years in the Navy.
Claire was a member of St. Michael’s Parish, St. Joseph’s Auxiliary, Wheeling Hospital Auxiliary, Wheeling Hospital’s Nurses Alumni, Catholic Daughters of America, Navy Nurse Corps Association, Washington Metro Area Nurse Corps. and the Newcomers Club of Wheeling.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Captain Hjalmer Swanson, USN, brothers, Pat and Mike Vecchione, sisters, Dora Giammarco, Ann Vecchione, Theresa Ferrera, Edith Giammarco, Della Darmo and Maria DiLoreto.
She is survived by her children Tammy Copenhaver and her husband Daniel of Martinsburg, WV; Debbie Sorenson and her husband, Mark of Tucson, AZ; Richard Swanson and his wife, Karen of San Diego, CA; and Tim Swanson and his wife Karen of St. Gabriel, CA; many grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Friends will be received at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger Street, Wheeling, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Friday where vigil services will be held at 6 p.m. Military honors at 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the front of Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wheeling, with the Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield as celebrant and Msgr. Paul Hudock as homilist.
Internment with full Military Honors in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bishop Michael J. Bransfield Scholarship, 1311 Byron Street, Wheeling, WV 26003, or the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteen St. NW, Washington, DC. 20006-3517 Offer condolences online at altmeyer.com
Aunt Claire closes a chapter of life as she joins her siblings in heaven. What a beautiful family…. Thank you for the life long lessons.
With gratitude for Lisa and Greg Armstrong and their children who brought Aunt Claire into their family and never left her side – you are angels of mercy.
May God bless and keep you Aunt Claire
Peace and comfort to her children and grandchildren
Claire now knows what we all believe.
New life in the hands of the Lord.
Claire was a wonderful woman. I knew her in The Newcomers Club. She always had a smile and a good story to tell. I miss her. Janet
Claire was my step mother. A role she filled with grace and sometimes a little grit. She was a sweetheart, no nonsense lady with a big heart. I will miss her.
I trust she will find her way.
Our prayers and condolences to Tammy & Danny Copenhaver and their sons Joe & Luke. Also to the Vecchione/Swanson families. Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs