Diane Elaine Swasey

Diane Freeborn Swasey, age 81 of River Road, Manchester NH died suddenly last week. Ms. Swasey was born in Topeka, Kansas the daughter of Gladys and Hugh Freeborn, who were both teachers. Ms. Swasey was a graduate of Topeka High School class of 1951 and she attended Washburn University in Topeka. Her brother, Dallas Freeborn, still lives in the Topeka area.

Ms. Swasey was an Air Force wife with two children who lived in several places in the United States and also in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada. She was very gregarious, and so was able to make new acquaintances easily even with frequent relocations. Her husband, whom she later divorced, retired in Portsmouth in 1972, marking the beginning of her 42 years of living in NH, the last 25 of which were in Manchester.

Although she performed office work or functioned as an executive secretary most of her adult life, her passion was politics. A life-long Democrat, Ms. Swasey worked in innumerable campaigns and was active in Manchester ward, city, NH and national politics. In the 1990's she also ran for the NH legislature.

Her other passion was animals, and most recently, she lost a beloved cat Missy, after 19 years.

She is survived by her brother Dallas, children Richard and Kathleen, and three grandchildren.

Donations in lieu of flowers are suggested to a local chapter of the SPCA or other local animal shelter (or please adopt a pet!).

The service and burial in St. Augustin Cemetery, Manchester will be private.