Mary S. (Swarm) Menti

Mary Evelyn (Swarm) Menti, 99, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Maplewood at Stony Hill in Bethel, CT.

Born June 30, 1923 to Anders and Jenny Brant Swarm, Mary was the third of five children and grew up in Ridgefield, CT. She graduated from Ridgefield High School and married Joseph Menti in 1941. The couple moved to Bethel in 1954—where they remained for the rest of their lives—to raise their four children.

An accomplished seamstress, Mary used her talents at the Remnant Outlet in Bethel for more than 20 years and even made her daughter Linda’s wedding dress from scratch. In 1980, Mary began working as an aide in the resource department at Rockwell School, where she helped students learn and thrive for 25 years until her retirement in 2005 at the age of 82.

Mary was often spotted around Bethel at the First Congregational Church, where she was a longtime member, walking around the High School track with co-workers and friends, and working at polls during election season. An avid reader with a curious mind and sharp wit, Mary was known to enjoy a glass of red wine or a bottle of Rolling Rock, and cared deeply for her pristine South Street lawn, where she could be seen mowing the grass and pulling weeds well into her 90's.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Joe and her siblings John Swarm, Raymond Swarm, Frank Swarm, Lilian Alhage and her son-in-law, Michael Sheldon. She is survived by her children Joseph (Jean) Menti, Linda Sheldon, James (Kathleen) Menti, and Jon (Patricia) Menti, her grandchildren Jeanne Smith, Matt Sheldon, Marnie Miller, Megan Romanoff, Luke Sheldon, Nathan Sheldon, Lauren Shaw, Michael Menti, Stephen Menti, and Gregory Menti, and fourteen great grandchildren, plus many nieces and nephews.

The wake will be held at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave. on Tuesday September 20 from 5pm to 7pm. Burial will be at the Elmwood Cemetery on Dodgingtown Road in Bethel with a graveside service on Wednesday September 21 at 11am.

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