Cecile June Osborne Swist

Cecile June Osborne Swist, 72, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Elliot Hospital in Manchester. She was born on November 7, 1946 in Manchester, daughter of the late William and Cecile Osborne. She was the wife of Edward Charles Swist. They were married on September 6, 1965 in Manchester, NH. Cecile grew up on the East Side of Manchester and graduated from Memorial High School in 1964. She married her teenage sweetheart and together they enjoyed 53 years of marriage residing in Bedford, while raising their three children. Cecile held several jobs and it was her love of serving people that led her to work in retail stores, including Montgomery Wards, Linens N Things and Macy's.

In 1982 after pleading with her husband to buy her a goat for her birthday, Cecile raised Champion Dairy Goats for approximately twenty years. During this time she was actively involved in the Merrimack County 4-H Clubs and New Hampshire Dairy Goat Association. She delighted in showing her goats at county fairs throughout New England where she developed many lifelong friends. In December 2000 while attending church with her son, she responded to an altar call where she committed her life to the Lord and desired to follow Jesus. A month later she chose to be baptized and publicly profess her faith. Cecile had a peace within and a confidence in her eternal life with Jesus Christ. In 2001 Cecile and her beloved husband embarked on yearly adventures with friends to visit Mickey Mouse, her favorite character at Walt Disney World. During these times, they enjoyed great fun while strengthening their love and commitment to one another. Cecile was a strong and committed woman with an unconditional deep love for people. She never wavered in her dedication to all those she knew.

Cecile is predeceased by her father, mother and brother, William Osborne. She is survived by her beloved husband, Edward Charles Swist; son, Kenneth Swist and his wife, Tara; daughter, Kerry Hanby and her husband Mitchell; son, Keith Swist; daughter-in-law, Amy Swist; grandchildren, Robert, Dylan, Danielle, George and Michael Swist, Joshua, Jonathan, and Rebecca Hanby, Anna Swist; great granddaughter Elizabeth Sundeen as well as extended family and many friends.

Calling hours will be 4-7pm, Friday, January 11, 2019 at Phaneuf Funeral Home, 250 Coolidge Ave., Manchester, NH. A celebration of Cecile's life will be held, 11am, Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Raymond Baptist Church, 145 Route 27, Raymond, NH followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers Cecile requested that memorial donations be made to;

New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition; www.nhbcc.org/donate/
The Merrimack County 4-H; https://extension.unh.edu/tags/merrimack-county-4-h/
SNIP Program; https://www.fundsfurfriends.com/snip-spayneuter-incentive-program.html/