Claire M. (Miles) Swan

NORTHBOROUGH – Claire (Miles) Swan, 87, of Northborough, died peacefully Thursday, March 25, 2021 at home, surrounded by her loving family. 

Claire was born in Winthrop, MA, daughter of Walter and Margaret (Fay) Miles, grew up there and in Quincy, and graduated from The Mount St Joseph Academy. She married the love of her life, Charles Parker Swan III, in 1955 and settled in Northborough where they proudly raised a beautiful family.

As the matriarch, Claire filled her lifetime with her passions. She and Parker enjoyed traveling the world, immersing themselves in the cultures of Egypt, China, and many more. They also performed magic across many global stages, dazzling audiences with their signature tricks like How to Force a Watermelon and Prunes of all Nations. After being married for 58 wonderful years, Parker passed away in 2013. 

Claire leaves two daughters, Karen Swan Muggeridge and her husband John of Southborough and Ellen Swan Mazzer, in addition to a son, David Parker Swan of Worcester; three brothers, Walter Miles and his wife June of Concord, Paul Miles and his wife Nancy of Marshfield, and Philip Miles and his wife Cherie of Plymouth; four grandchildren, Ashley Mazzer and her husband Godfrey Thorpe of Colorado Springs, CO, Tyra Mazzer of S. Portland, ME, Jacqueline Muggeridge of Kansas City, MO, and Diana Muggeridge and her fiancé Eric White of Washington, DC. Claire was predeceased by her son-in-law, Timothy Mazzer in January 2019.

Her loved ones remember Claire for her one-of-a-kind charisma and her many talents, including a unique ability to bring memories to life through storytelling, to rock a bright lipstick, and to masterfully complete each daily New York Times crossword puzzle.

Claire was a pillar of the community in Northborough, which the town celebrated in 2005 by appointing her and her husband as Grand Marshalls of the town Apple Fest. She was a devoted parishioner of St Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough for more than 60 years, where she was a Communicant and on the Altar Society. She was also town registrar, on the Bicentennial Committee, and an active member of the Northborough Garden Club and Northborough Historical Society.

Claire was a founding member of Seven Hills Foundation, where she had served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and left her mark as a parent advocate.

Beyond her many community achievements, Claire began her career at Milton Hospital as a lab technician and worked at UMass Memorial – Lake Ave in Public Relations. 

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 from 9:00 – 11:00 am at St. Rose of Lima Church, 244 W Main St, Northborough, followed by a Mass at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough. Arrangements are in the care of Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave, Worcester.  

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Seven Hills Foundation, 81 Hope Ave, Worcester, MA 01603 (sevenhills.org) or Friends of the Northborough Senior Center, 119 Bearfoot Road, Northborough, MA 01532 (www.friendsofnorthboroughseniors.org/donate-contact-join).