Gertrude Lenea Erickson

Gertrude Lenea (Swanson) Erickson, 96, of Johnston, RI, formerly of Attleboro, MA, peacefully passed away on Monday, September 12, 2016 at Briarcliffe Gardens Assisted Living in Johnston. She was the beloved wife of the late Carl Lambert Erickson, to whom she was married in 1943, and who died on September 16, 1985.Born on October 31, 1919 in Attleboro, MA, she was the daughter of the late John E. Swanson and the late Ida (Anderson) Swanson. Gertrude was a graduate of Attleboro High School, Class of 1937, where she enjoyed athletics, playing basketball and tennis, and was the Captain of the basketball team for two years. Gertrude then graduated from the Forsyth Dental School in Boston, MA, from where she received her Dental Hygienist degree in 1938. She then worked for Dr. Albert C. Berger in Providence, RI and for Dr. Robert Allen in Attleboro, MA.Following her marriage in 1943, she and her husband moved to Swansea MA, where her husband was employed. With their family of three children, there were other moves: to Litchfield, CT; Bedford, NY; Stamford, CT; Salem, NH; and Wappinger Falls, NY, before retiring to Attleboro, MA in 1984.A homemaker when her children were young, she was later employed by Mid-Hudson Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Poughkeepsie, NY, retiring after twenty-two years.Gertrude was brought up in the Evangelical Covenant Church in Attleboro where she became a member following confirmation. She taught Sunday School for many years in various churches where she lived. She was a leader of Pioneer Girls; a church youth leader; and a 4-H leader. She enjoyed cake decorating, chair stenciling, rug hooking, china painting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and gardening. Gertrude volunteered at Sturdy Memorial Hospital for many years, and was honored in 2005 after having then donated 2500 hours of her time.She is survived by her three children: Paula E. Butler and her husband, David Butler, of Newark, DE; Steven C. Erickson and his wife, Jean A. Erickson, of Attleboro, MA; and Joy E. Skeers and her husband, Christopher Skeers, of Castle Rock, CO. She leaves twelve grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Clifford A. Swanson, Florence J. (Swanson) Johnson, and Alden E. Swanson, Sr., and leaves several nieces and nephews.Friends and family are cordially invited to attend a Visitation on Friday, September 16, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on the left) Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.Children's room is available during visitation.Those in need of a local ride to visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such complimentary transportation.Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Funeral Service on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Evangelical Covenant Church, 841 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA.Burial services will immediately follow in North Purchase Cemetery, Attleboro, MA, at which time Gertrude will be laid to rest alongside her husband.A collation in the church's Fellowship Hall will follow burial.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gertrude's memory to Evangelical Covenant Church, 841 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703.For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200