FORT EDWARD – Gladys (Fasoli) Swigert, 99, of The Oaks, passed away peacefully, on Friday, August 15, 2014, at the Fort Hudson Health Care Facility in Fort Edward.
Born on February 28, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Yula (Ashley) Fasoli.
On December 21, 1944, she married Robert Mason Swigert, Sr., in Stamford, Conn. After almost 50 wonderful years of marriage, he passed away on August 23, 1994.
Gladys graduated with a teaching degree from Hartwick College in Oneonta. After teaching for a few years, she decided to continue her education at Albany State, graduating with a degree in chemistry.
Gladys spent most of her life as a research chemist. In the mid 1950’s, she was one of the first woman to work with an electron microscope. Gladys was employed for many years at Imperial, later known as Hercules and Ciba Geigy in Queensbury. Following her and her husband’s retirement, they took a six month trip to the South Pacific. During their retirement, Gladys and her husband spent part of the year in Florida and part at their camp on the Hudson River.
For her entire life, Gladys had a desire to learn. While in her 80’s she signed up for a class in microbiology while living in Florida. Gladys knew more than the professor and ended up teaching the class. She also was a mineralogist with a beautiful collection of minerals and cut gems. She and her husband contributed mineral collections to the Pember Museum in Granville and supplied study minerals to the geology department at Adirondack Community College.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her three brothers, Paul Fasoli, Stewart Fasoli and Louie Fasoli.
Survivors include her son, Robert M. Swigert, Jr. of Hudson Falls; three grandchildren, Robert M. Swigert, III of Statenn Island, Ryan Swigert and his companion, Alyssa Kopacki of Hadley and Ashley Swigert and her companion, Kurt Brown of Corinth; her great grandson, Tyler Brown of Corinth; her brother, Leland Fasoli and his wife, Janice; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many wonderful friends at The Oaks.
Friends may call on Saturday, August 23, 2014, from 11 to 1 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Prayers will be offered by Reverend Arthur Hewitt at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
Following the prayers, Gladys will be laid to rest next to her husband at Union Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
The family wishes to thank Gladys’ special friend, Eleanor Pearson and the entire staff at The Oaks for their love and support. They also deeply appreciate everyone at the Fort Hudson Health Care Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
I have only known Gladys for a few number of years. It was through me being associated with Kath Daley that I had the most wonderful experience with Aunt Gladys in my life. Being a musician, I have had many conversations about many styles of music and she and I talked a lot about her love for Opera especially. When PBS had any Great Performances series on, I would call her to remind her that it would be airing on TV That weekend. The great Luciano Pavarotti was on and I knew that she would enjoy watching it. Now she and Luciano can share in Heaven all the Opera that God will supply for eternity. I will miss you, Aunt Gladys. Eddie Placidi
RIP my sweet angel my Aunt Gladys you will be missed by us all.thank you for being the best Aunt that any child would love to have in there live.love your little girl kathy
Gl;adys was a remarkable person – her mind was still as sharp as ever when I last saw her. My deepest sympathy to all her family.
Bob and Bobby and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your Mother and Grandmother’s passing. I offer you and your family my deepest sympathy. Many years have passed now who’s in Upstate New York, who’s in Staten Island, NY and I’ve moved the most and am back in Prescott, Arizona. I remember meeting Mrs. Swigert in the 1970’s and her delicious Apple Pie which she was so kind to write out the recipe and give to me. Take care and may God Bless you all.
Bob and Bobby and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your Mother and Grandmother’s passing. I offer you and your family my deepest sympathy. Many years have passed now who’s in Upstate New York, who’s in Staten Island, NY and I’ve moved the most and am back in Prescott, Arizona. I remember meeting Mrs. Swigert in the 1970′s and her delicious Apple Pie which she was so kind to write out the recipe and give to me. Take care and may God Bless you all.
Aunt Gladys was one in a million – not enough words to talk about how special she was.
But here are a few that come to mind:
A brilliant, thoughtful, loyal, strong, caring woman who was all about her family and her friends.
We will be there Saturday to celebrate her life.
With love,
RAD & Gayle
To Bob and family my deepest sympathy I’m so sorry you lost a beautiful person in your life your mother .She Was a great mother and a grandmother . I am so happy she got to see her great grandson .before she left this Earth. May God bless you and your family love cousin kathy
It is a colossal void for our family to lose our Aunt Gladys. She was a fountain of kindness – didn’t have a bad thing to say about anyone or anything – always looked to the goodness she saw in people and would accentuate those qualities with every encounter. She was a rock to 3 generations as well as her own. I am so lucky to have known her and to have held a place in her heart. Hugs and love to Bobby, Bob, Ashley, and Ryan. See you tomorrow to honor her life.
Bob,
Sorry to hear about your mom. Prayers and hugs to you and your family.