Shirley A. Sweden, 87 of Vestal, NY, passed away Tuesday October 3, 2023, at the Vestal Nursing Center. She was predeceased by her husband John; her parents Martin and Sarah Leonard; her infant daughter Mary; her sister Frances Cwynar (Stanley). She is survived by her daughter Lisa Bodnar (Mark Pedro); three grandchildren Kaylee Zordan (Dana), Ciarra Bodnar, Lucas Bodnar (Diana Bateman); also, several nieces and nephews. She was a Registered Nurse retiring from The Vestal Nursing Center and a Eucharist Minister at St. Casimir’s Church, Endicott. She was a member of The Church of the Holy Family, Endwell. Her grandchildren were the loves of her life, and she was nicknamed “Huggie Bear”. You knew if you were in her company you were going to get a hug! The family extends sincere gratitude to the staff of Brookside Terrace B at Vestal Park for the love and compassion Shirley received.
A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday October 11th at The Church of the Holy Family 3600 Phyllis St. Endwell, NY at 10:00 AM. Entombment will follow in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endwell, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to either St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or The Broome County Humane Society, 167 Conklin Ave. Binghamton, NY 13903.