Rose M. Swanson

    Rose M. Swanson of East Hampton, who worked as a waitress at such restaurants as John Duck’s and Balzarini’s in Southampton, died in Southampton on Feb. 26 at the age of 87.

    Ms. Swanson was born in Packerton, Pa., to Peter and Sophie Dzuba Sitarchyk on Dec. 10, 1925, one of nine children. After graduation from Lehighton High School, she moved to Southampton and soon met her husband to be, Francis X. Swanson. The couple married on Oct. 21, 1946, and had two daughters, Patricia Cartino of Sag Harbor and Kathleen Coleman of Ridge. They survive her. Her husband died in 1999.

    She went to work at Gristedes supermarket after she stopped waitressing.

    Ms. Swanson was devoted to her family, who said they will remember her for her sense of humor and youthful approach to life. She was also devoted to two loyal friends, Pat Gray and Fran Sadowski.

    She is also survived by two brothers, Sonny and Paul Sitarchyk, both of Lehighton, Pa., three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

    Friends gathered at the O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton on Feb. 28. A funeral Mass was celebrated on March 1 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church in Southampton. Burial followed at the church’s cemetery.