Rose Marie Swenson

In Loving Memory of Rose Marie Swenson

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Godmother, Sister, Aunt, Friend and Neighbor.

Rose Marie Swenson, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and dear friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. She was 73 years old. Her gentle spirit, generous heart and unwavering kindness touched all who were blessed to know her. 

Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Matthias and Margaret (Reagan) Murphy, Rose Marie was one of seven children raised in a home filled with laughter, faith and enduring family bonds. A proud lifelong resident of Fall River, she embodied the city’s grit & resiliency, compassion and deep sense of community.

Rose Marie attended Sacred Heart Academy and was a proud graduate of Mount St. Mary’s Academy, Class of 1970, before continuing her studies at Bristol Community College. Guided throughout her life by her deep faith, she was a devoted Irish Catholic and longtime parishioner of Holy Rosary Church, and later, Holy Name Church. 

For more than three decades, Rose Marie dedicated her life to the students of the Fall River Public Schools, serving as a Librarian Teacher Assistant at B.M.C. Durfee High School. Her love of learning, patient guidance and caring presence made her a beloved figure for generations of the city’s youth and colleagues alike.

 Her home was the true heart of her family, the gathering place for every holiday, milestone and celebration. Rose Marie loved to host and had a gift for making everyone who entered her home feel welcomed, valued and loved. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: spending Summer days at her happy place, Atlantic Beach Club with her dear friends, affectionately known as “The Girls”, vacations on Martha’s Vineyard and time spent with her cherished friends and neighbors, who brought laughter and companionship to her days. Above all, she treasured her family. Her greatest pride and joy being her five beloved grandchildren, Ryan & Owen Nadeau, Charlie, Gretta & Teddy Swenson , who filled her heart with endless love and delight. 

Rose Marie was preceded in death by her loving brothers Matthias, William, Paul, and Owen Murphy; her dear sister-in-law Annette Murphy, and her beloved nephew John Reagan Murphy. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Wayne Swenson. More than husband and wife, Rose Marie and Wayne were lifelong partners and best friends who truly loved being together. She is also survived by her loving children, son Derek Swenson, daughter Megan Nadeau and daughter-in-law Mykel Swenson; her dear sister & brother Margaret Curry and John Murphy and her loving sister-in-laws Lucy Murphy and Cynthia Murphy. She will also be lovingly cherished by her many amazing nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom will forever carry her warmth, generosity and love in their hearts. 

Rose Marie will be remembered for her boundless kindness, steadfast faith and her remarkable ability to make everyone feel seen, appreciated and loved. She was always ready with a helping hand, a gentle word or a radiant smile. To her, family, friends & neighbors were life’s greatest blessings. Her love and light will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew her. 

Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass which will be held Thursday, November 20 at 10:00 AM at Holy Name Church, Hanover St. Fall River. (Please meet directly at the church) Burial to follow at St. Patrick Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Greater Boston Food Bank, in honor of Rose Marie’s lifelong spirit of generosity and care for others.