Alberta (Epstein) Swett

Alberta Swett, 96, of Revere, Massachusetts, and, prior to that, a longtime resident of Hartford and West Hartford, Connecticut, passed away at home on December 19, 2022 with the loving support of family. Born in Hartford on January 24, 1926, she was the youngest daughter of the late Julius and Rose Epstein. She graduated as salutatorian of the class of 1943 of Hartford High School and graduated in 1947 with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wellesley College. At Wellesley, she was named a Durant Scholar in both her junior and senior years, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in her senior year. Although she was accepted to attend graduate school in political science after graduating from Wellesley, as a woman of her times, she chose instead to marry Samuel Shlien of Middletown, Connecticut, with whom she had two children. Unfortunately, Sam passed away in 1958. Alberta remembered him as “the smartest man I ever knew.” As a single mother, Alberta worked as an insurance agent to support her family. She remarried in 1963 to New Britain, Connecticut businessman Lester Swett, who passed away in 2013 at age 94. Alberta and Lester were happily married for 50 years. Throughout her adult life, Alberta was actively involved in organizations that promoted Jewish causes, most especially the American Jewish Congress, where she was instrumental in helping Jews emigrate from the USSR to the United States. Also throughout her life, Alberta was a passionate opera lover; avid bridge player (and she continued to play a lightning-fast game of double solitaire until just a week before she passed); and was always devouring stacks of newspapers. Her family remembers her lovingly for her quick wit; great intellect; dedication to making the world a better place; and on a lighter note, her decades-long, daily consumption of chocolate ice-cream with Hershey’s syrup. She was pre-deceased by her two husbands, as well as by her three sisters, Esther, Lillian, and Frances. She leaves her daughter Robin and son Robert; five grandchildren – Julian, Justin, Jordan, Jenelle, and Jessica; and many nieces and nephews. Donations can be made in her memory to the American Jewish Congress. Gravesite services will be held at the Hartford City Lodge cemetery at 11:00 on Thursday, 12/22/22. To sign the guestbook for Alberta Swett, please visit https://weinsteinmortuary.com/funeral-obituary/alberta-swett/.

Donations can be made in her memory to the American Jewish Congress.