Margaret E. Sweeney

She was born in Keene, NH the daughter of Edward C. and Olive (Smith) Sweeney, Sr.

She attended local schools and graduated from Keene High School and completed two years at the Keene Teachers College and later received degrees from Georgetown University and the Catholic University of America.

During WWII she accepted a position at the U.S. Government Office of Price administration (OPA) in Concord, NH and thereby began her U.S. Federal Civil Service career. While employed at the OPA she was recruited by and accepted a position with the US Army Signal Corp in Arlington, VA.

Following WWII she accepted a position with the U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of Judge Advocate General (JAG) in Washington, DC. Subsequently she was transferred to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, DC where she held various positions including that of Historic Preservation Officer which she held at the time of her retirement.

While employed at HUD Margaret attended Georgetown, University being one of the first women admitted to their school of Foreign Service from which she received a Bachelors Degree in Foreign Affairs. Subsequently she received her Master of Science Degree in International Law Relations from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Margaret retired to her home in Keene, NH. Volunteering was a part of her life. While employed in Washington she taught foreign relations for several years at the Washington Saturday College located at George Washington University. Upon retirement she was a volunteer at the library at St. Joseph School in Keene and at the Historical Society of Cheshire County. She was appointed as a charter member of the Keene, NH Heritage Commission in which she served three consecutive terms and during which Keene’s first Historic District was approved.

Margaret had a passion for music, foreign and domestic travel, reading and art. While in Washington, D.C. she studied at the Abbot Art School and also studied painting under Theodore Kane. She was a member of the Golden Circle of Keene State College Alumni Association and the Alumni Association of Georgetown University and the Catholic University of America.

She is survived by her sister, Dr. Christine M. Sweeney of Keene, NH; four nieces Mary Nan Moser and her husband Kenneth of Winston Salem, NC, Patricia Farwell and her husband Steven of Chapel Hill, NC, Martha Clark and her husband Edward of Naples, FL, Cheryl Ventura and her husband William Suter of Baltimore, MD and two nephews; Dr. John R. Sweeney, Jr. of Suffolk, VA and Edward C. Sweeney, III and his wife Dolores of Swanzey, NH. Several cousins, great nieces and great nephews. Her two brothers, Capt. John R. Sweeney, USN (Retired) and Edward C. Sweeney, Jr. predeceased her.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Bernard’s Church, 185 Main Street, Keene, NH on Thursday morning, December 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Steven M. Kucharski, Associate Pastor will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in the family lot at St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene, NH there are no visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Easter Seals Association of New Hampshire, 555 Auburn Street, Manchester, NH 03103 or to the charity of one’s choice.

The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH is in charge of arrangements.