Marie Swanson

COAL CITY—Marie Votta Swanson, 97, of Coal City, passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2024.
She was born on Aug. 6, 1927, to Albert Votta and Kathryn Vaira Votta, formerly of Braidwood. Marie attended Braidwood High School, class of 1945, and was active in arranging all her class reunions. She married Ernest Swanson in 1951 and they had one daughter, Denise Swanson Stybr.
Marie worked hard all her life. Her first job was at the Royal Blue grocery store in Braidwood while she was still in high school. She also worked at the Boston Store in Joliet, Grinchuck Pants Factory, and owned her own clothing boutique. In 1976, Marie became a police, fire, and emergency dispatcher for the municipality of Coal City. She remained there until her retirement in 1987.
Marie was known for her amazing cooking and baking. Her specialties were bagna cauda, polenta, lemon squares and rum cake. She was a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Coal City, where she was very active with the Martha's Parish Funeral Luncheon Committee.
Marie is survived by her daughter, Denise; her son-in-law, Dave; her brother, Albert Votta; her sister-in-law, Naomi Bianchetta; her brother-in-law, Gene Bianchetta; her best friend and cousin, Mary Kay Decker, and her loving caregiver, Mary Lynn Grimes, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Kathryn Votta; her husband, Ernie Swanson; her brother, Joseph Votta; her sisters-in-law: Rosella Votta, Wilma Votta, Dolores (Pooch) Swanson, Avis Brancato and LaVerne Kelly and her brothers-in-law: William Swanson, Sam Brancato and Fritz Kelly, as well as her best friends: Dorothy Snyder, Marge Broucek, Lori Rink and Esther Knorr.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 11 from 4-7 p.m. at Patterson's Funeral Home in Braidwood.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 12, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Patterson's Funeral Home in Braidwood with Father Scott McCawley officiating.
Interment will follow at Braceville-Gardner Cemetery.
Memorial donations in her name may be directed to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Jude's Hospital for Children, or Shiner's Hospital for Children.
For more information or to sign her online guestbook go to www.pattersonfuneralhomes.com or find them on Facebook.
R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory, 401 E. Main St., Braidwood is entrusted with arrangements.