Jean Swenson Thorkildsen

Jean Swenson Thorkildsen, 98, of Ballston Lake NY, peacefully passed away in her
home on Saturday June 14th . She was born May 15, 1927 in Boston, MA. She was the
daughter of Carl Swenson and Elinor Potter Swenson of Wellesley Farms, MA. Jean
touched the lives of family and friends through her humility, intelligence and wonderful
sense of humor.
She was a graduate of Wellesley High School. She graduated from Middlebury College
in 1948, with a major in American Literature. Trained as an orthoptic technician in
Madison, Wisconsin, she worked in that field after college. She volunteered at the
Schenectady Historical Society, cultivating her love for antiques and history.
Subsequently she was a secretary for Dr. Brown at the Albany Medical Center and then
for many years for Central Park Dental Group in Schenectady, NY.
Her love for dogs began early with Hilda and Limey, her childhood Great Dane and Old
English Sheepdog. She was a dedicated breeder of Old English Sheepdogs and
Cardigan Welsh Corgis who focused on preserving and improving the breeds. Jean was
a strong believer that dogs should closely match their breed standard, while also sound
enough to do performance work. She had multiple conformation Champions with
obedience titles in a time when she was told ‘you can’t do both.’
When dog agility made its way to the Capital District, Jean was one of the first to be
involved as she loved the connection between dog and handler. She was an advocate
of dog training using positive reinforcement. In addition, she raised French Alpine
Goats, working with breed associations to measure and increase milk production.
In the winter, she explored the local woods and parks with her dogs and friends on
cross-country skis.
She was active in numerous clubs and organizations, including the Schenectady Dog
Training Club, Takes 2 to Q Dog Agility Club, Saratoga Kennel Club, The Saratoga
County 4-H Dog Training Program, The Old English Sheepdog Club of America, The
New England Dairy Goat Association, The Schenectady Antiques Study Group, and the
JAZZ Agility Dog Club.
A strong believer in democracy, she took great interest in current events, compiling
scrapbooks to document the momentous events of the last 60 years, and regularly
serving as an election official.
In her address to Middlebury College at her 75 th reunion in 2023, her powerful advocacy
for liberal arts education was received with thunderous applause.
Jean is survived by her children, Erik Thorkildsen (Jackie Watson), Karl Thorkildsen,
Peter Thorkildsen and Susan Thorkildsen Golden (Neal Golden), and also by hergrandchildren Zoe Thorkildsen, Erling Thorkildsen and Dana Golden, and by her niece and nephew Karen and Carl Swenson.
Jean lived through many challenges with quiet endurance and good humor and
prospered despite them: her fortitude and resilience in the face of adversity and her
dedication to being her true self will remain inspirations for all of us.
She will be sorely missed.
There will be a celebration of her life for friends and family at her home in Ballston Lake
on Sat 7/12/25 from 1-5pm
Donations in her memory may be made to Good Shepherd K9 Rescue, 3313 Mariaville Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306

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