Hilary Swaffield, Womens 1 skier from New Hampshire, passed away on Sept. 12. She was the daughter of Bill (Mens 5 skier and senior official) and Becky, and the sister of Willie (Mens 2 skier) and Whitney.
(copied from The Granite State News, Thursday, September 27, 2007)
Accomplished athlete, talented musician
WOLFEBORO — Hilary Rebecca Swaffield, 23, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 12, in Wolfeboro. She was born on March 7, 1984 in Concord, the daughter of William and Rebecca (Hunt) Swaffield.
Hilary lived in Wolfeboro all of her life and after briefly attending Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont, graduated from Kingswood Regional High School as Salutatorian of the Class of 2002. She most recently was proud to attend Brown University.
Hilary loved learning and was an avid reader and excellent writer. At Kingswood she was a member of the National Honor Society. While at Brown, she had several pieces published and was honored to be an intern for David Corn of The Nation Magazine in Washington, D.C., where she helped do research for his latest book. Her passion was social change, including issues such as universal health care and global warming.
She was a gifted athlete and while at Kingswood received All-State recognition in alpine skiing, field hockey and lacrosse. Hilary qualified for and participated in the Junior Olympics for both field hockey and alpine skiing. At Brown she was a member of the field hockey team and was captain of the alpine ski team. On the ski team she earned collegiate All-American honors seven times and Academic All-American 3 times. As a longtime member of the Abenaki Water Ski Club she participated in numerous ski shows and became an accomplished competitive water skier, earning state titles in both slalom and jumping.
Hilary was also a talented musician. She loved to sing and compose, studied piano and oboe, and taught herself to play the guitar and drums.
She had a great love of animals, of nature and for the outdoors and enjoyed hiking in the White Mountains.
In addition to her intelligence, her talents and her beauty, Hilary is best remembered for her kindness to others.
She leaves behind her parents, Bill and Becky, her brother Willie and sister Whitney of Wolfeboro, and Stanley, the beloved family dog. She is also survived by her grandmothers Nancy Swaffield of Wolfeboro and Hazel Hunt of Skowhegan, Maine, plus uncles, aunts, cousins and many great friends.
There will be no calling hours. A service of remembrance for Hilary will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at the Lakeview Cemetery in Wolfeboro, followed by a reception at the Pinckney Boathouse at Brewster Academy.
Donations may be made in her name to the Lakes Region Humane Society, PO Box 655, Ossipee, New Hampshire 03864 or to the Friends of Abenaki, PO Box 997, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896.
Lord Funeral Home, Wolfeboro, is in charge of arrangements.
