Dr. Louise Swiniarski, 82, a long-standing professor at Salem State University, died peacefully early Saturday morning Nov. 6 2021 in the presence of her husband of 60 years, Joseph K. Swiniarski.  Born in Salem on Jan. 20, 1939 she was the daughter of the late Charles J. Boyle of Salem and the late Bernice (Hikel) Boyle of Millinocket, ME.

Louise graduated Magna Cum Laude at Boston College in 1960, where she majored in Education.  She went on to earn a Master's Degree from Salem State College.  Then, she returned to Boston College, where she received her Ph. D. in Philosophy of Education in 1976. She was always proud of her attaining the status of "Double Eagle" for studies at BC.

After earning her bachelor's degree, she earned a position in the Woburn Public School System, married Joseph, and soon became a stay-at-home mother to care her two infant sons and her teenage brother-in-law.

While pursuing her Master's degree, Louise was asked to teach classes in philosophy and education. And soon she stayed on as an associate professor, beginning almost 45 years of university education.

After earning her PhD., Louise went on to have a long and distinguished career as a professor of Early Childhood Education at Salem State University where she served as coordinator of the Graduate and Undergraduate Early Childhood Education programs. During her tenure, she would spearhead numerous programs and initiatives, such as student teacher exchange programs in Leeds, Ilkley, and Chester England and field work exchanges throughout continental Europe.

Louise loved working with children as much as teaching in the university classroom.  She often visited local preschools, elementary schools and daycares to model the methods that she taught.  She believed in engaging the young in activities that made them aware of their local heritage and global awareness.  Louise used toys such as puppets or unique versions of monopoly, collected from her extensive travels and from her international colleagues, in order to engage children in expressing their knowledge.  Performing stories and folktales, converting dollars into pounds or yen, or learning of the people and animals of places all around the world.

Throughout the 2000s, she composed or collaborated on many books regarding the teaching and care of young children, spoke at many conferences worldwide, and lectured at other universities, including Harvard. Louise continued on her practice without ceasing even past her retirement in 2013.

Beyond the classroom, Louise had many pastimes.  In her early adult years, she enjoyed crafting and painting still life.  Later in life, her greatest passions were travel, both with her husband or to visit many colleagues who had become close friends. In her later years, she became an avid jogger, competing in 3k and 5k runs, and volunteering at stations in the Boston Marathon. She won many trophies "for her age category," but she always relished in finishing before some of the younger runners.

But most importantly, Louise was admired and adored by her steadfastly loyal BC classmates, her colleagues, and her students.  She expected nothing but the best of herself, and expected the same from others.

In addition to her husband Joe, Louise is survived by her two sons Stephen Swiniarski and his wife Leslie Garbitt-Swiniarski of Brewster, and Michael Swiniarski and his wife Lisa Cormier-Swiniarski of Salem.  She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Stephanie Miller and her husband Joshua Miller, Andrew Swiniarski, Sophie Swiniarski, and Max Swiniarski; and 2 great-grand children, Riley Miller and Logan Miller. She leaves her sister Maria (Boyle) Richard and her husband Ron of Marshfield, her nieces Julie Richard and Karen Richard along with grandnieces and grandnephews.  She also leaves Her brother-in-law Edward Swiniarski of Brewster.

Arrangements:  People are welcome for visitation at Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St Salem on Friday 12 Nov from 3pm to 7pm. Funeral services will be at St Thomas Parish Church 1 Margin St Peabody (Rte 114 on Salem/Peabody line) on Saturday 13 Nov at 11 am. The burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Hawthorne Hotel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Dr. Louise Swiniarski Early Childhood Education Scholarship by going to https://participate.salemstate.edu/give and selecting designation "other" then fill in scholarship fund name or via check by mail to Salem State University Foundation, 352 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01972 and scholarship fund name in check memo. For more information or online guestbook, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.