Wanda M. (Swiec) Turner, 86, of Lawrence, died Wednesday morning, February 11, 2015, surrounded by her loving family at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Boston after a brief illness. She was the beloved widow of late Lawrence Firefighter Leo F. Turner.

Born in Lawrence, Wanda was the daughter of the late Andrew and Mary (Pitkiewicz) Swiec, and was the surviving sister to her 6 brothers: Joseph Swiec (who is survived by wife, Patricia Swiec and daughter Susan Swiec), Francis  Swiec, Bruno Gradziewicz, Stanley Gradziewicz,  Thadeous Swiec and Stanislus Swiec. She graduated from Lawrence High School.

Prior to her retirement, she was a home health aide for Care At Home Nursing Services, and previously worked in assembly at both Raytheon, Andover, and Bolta Rubber Company, Lawrence.  She loved animals; always feeding the birds, squirrels and chipmunks who lived in her beautiful yard. Known for her quick wit and no-nonsense personality, she was loved by many and enriched everyone’s lives with her caring gestures. She was also an avid BINGO player and loved a good horse race. She loved to dance, sing, camp and travel.  Many summers were spent at Salisbury Beach and later years at Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Above all else she loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

She leaves her daughter, Andrea  D’Amato and her husband Richard of Beverly; her beloved  grandchildren, Jessica Lee Jollotta and Leonardo D’Amato as well as many other friends, neighbors and family that considered her their own Grandmother. Wanda is also survived by several nieces and nephews.  Grammy Wanda will be missed by many. 

Friends and loved ones are invited to call on Tuesday, February 17, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at the Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. A funeral service is scheduled to follow calling hours at 11:00am in the funeral home chapel.

To leave an online condolence, please visit facebook.com/DewhirstFuneralHome

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