Mrs. Shirley Premo Swanston

Shirley Premo Swanston aged eighty-seven died peacefully at her home, after a brief illness, on October 23, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born on August 25, 1935 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, New York. She was the daughter Margery Smith Premo and Matthew James Premo and was the youngest of three children. The family resided in the Central New York area for several years before returning to Northern New York in the late 1930's when the family settled into their home at the top of Teboville Hill. After attending country school, she graduated from Franklin Academy in 1952. After graduation Shirley worked for several years as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone and later, as the Credit Manager at Grants Department Store in Malone. On May 24, 1965 she wed John [Jack] Gray Swanston and the couple resided in North Burke and Chateaugay, New York until the present day. In those decades, she was blessed with the friendship and camaraderie of many within the community. Shirley was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Eleanor Premo Blanchard of Seminole Florida and Brother, James, Matthew Premo of Westville. Besides her husband , Jack, she is survived by her sons: Rick Swanston of Oakland Park, Florida, John K. Swanston and wife Lisa Andresen Swanston, Kyle G. Swanston and wife Karen Burke Swanston, all of Chateaugay, New York as well as five grandchildren, Arianna Swanston and her fiancé William Munn of Saranac Lake, Matthew Swanston and his fiancé Morgan Elise Legacy of Chateaugay, Patrick Swanston of Chateaugay, Jedadiah and Gloria Swanston of Chateaugay, a great-grandson, Tyler Munn of Saranac Lake, and a brother-in-law, Howard Blanchard of Seminole Florida as well as nieces and a nephew. Shirley was a devoted mother, grandmother and aunt. She remained closely involved in the lives of all her entire family. Once her sons had completed high school, she returned to the workforce, most notably as the switchboard operator at the Franklin County Courthouse for twelve years beginning in the late 1980’s. Shirley loved all genres of music, especially country and bluegrass. Calling hours will be held at the Chateaugay Funeral Home on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, Chateaugay on October 27 at 1 p.m. Burial will be held in North Burke Cemetery, Burke. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to Hospice of the North Country.

Mrs. Shirley Premo Swanston

August 25, 1935 - October 23, 2022