Shirley M. Swanson

MADISON-Shirley (Hess) Swanson, age 81, passed away on April 2, 2018.  She was born with beautiful red hair and a personality to match.  Shirley attended Frank Allis Grade School, and graduated from Madison East High School in 1955.  Following high school she completed one year at UW Madison.  Shirley then went to work as a travel agent for Koepke Travel Agency in Madison.  She met Eugene Swanson in 1960, and they were married in 1962.  Later she was employed as a L.T.E. for the State of Wisconsin.  For nearly three decades, they lived in a ranch home on Stuart Court in Madison.  There were no children; however Shirley always owned a white cat or a white miniature puddle dog.  Shirley and Eugene enjoyed traveling together twice per year to San Francisco.  After Eugene passed away in 1997, Shirley continued to travel to San Francisco.  Shirley had many cousins. On two occasions, her favorite cousin, Mary Holan traveled with her to California.  Due to Shirley’s declining health, in April 2014 she moved into Oak Park Place on Madison’s east side.  In early 2016, Shirley was placed in hospice with congestive heart failure.  Oak Park and Heartland Hospice provided good care.  Shirley is survived by her brother, Gary (Marilyn) Hess; cousins, Jim and Toby Hess and many nieces, nephews and other cousins.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; and her parents.  Following Shirley’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation, however, a family get-together will be planned soon.