Maria Paula (Gugliemino) Swift
1937 - 2015


Maria Paula (Gugliemino) Swift, 78, of Cromwell died peacefully at home with her family on October 18, 2015 after a courageous battle with ALS.

She was born on August 6, 1937 in Middletown, CT and was the oldest child of Mary (Cannamela) and Joseph Gugliemino of Cromwell. She graduated from Middletown High School in 1955 and Saint Joseph College in 1959 with a BA in English. In 2015 she received a Masters Degree in Italian Studies from Central Connecticut State University and was recognized as being the oldest student in the graduating class.

Maria taught English at Cromwell High School before beginning her family. In addition, she was an active member of Saint John's Church in Cromwell including serving as a Eucharistic Minister, choir member, cantor and CCD teacher. She was also active in the Queen of Peace Mother's Circle. She served as the Cromwell Cooperative Nursery President for four terms; served as the Cromwell Junior Woman's club president; served in the Cromwell Ambulance division for nine years as an EMT; worked for the Cromwell Zoning Board of Appeals; and was a volunteer at the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford for thirteen years.

In recent years, Maria enjoyed pursuing her studies and spent several semesters studying in Italy. In addition, she travelled with family to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Sicily, Morocco, Israel, Jordan, Costa Rica, Mexico, China, Ireland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, and Turkey. She also spent countless hours researching her family genealogy.

Maria was most proud of the fact that all ten of her children graduated from Mercy or Xavier High School and graduated from college with at least one degree. Maria was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Robert Swift Jr., and daughter Alice Swift. Maria leaves behind her ten children; Joanne Swift and her husband Robert Vess of Cromwell; Joseph Swift III of Rocky Hill; Margaret Swift of Kennett Square, PA; Patrick Swift and his wife Candice of Poughkeepsie, NY; Ellen Rosengrant and her husband Kenneth of Middletown; Christopher Swift and his wife Susan of Mansfield; Stephen Swift of Middletown; David Swift of Poughkeepsie, NY; Gregory Swift of Middletown; and Elizabeth Swift of Cromwell.

In addition, she leaves 23 grandchildren and one great grandchild, all of whom brought smiles to her face during her illness: Anna, Adam, Benjamin, Brianne, Amelia, Allison, and Cecilia Vess; Emily Swift; Norris Smith, Cameron, Peyton, Annika, Damon and Sadie Swift; Mikayla and Nathanial Rosengrant; Doremy, Jorich, Crioph, Shanan, and Marisal Swift; Olana and Keil Swift; and great grandchild Nolan Vess. She also leaves behind her brothers Joseph and Richard Gugliemino and sister Paula Luna.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 23rd at 10:00 am at Saint John's Church, 5 Saint John Court, Cromwell. Interment will follow in the family plot in Saint Sebastian's Cemetery, Middlefield.

Family and friends may call Thursday, October 22nd from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell and are invited to send the family a message of condolence at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Road, Middletown, CT 06457 or to Xavier High School, 181 Randolph Road, Middletown, CT 06457, or to the ALS Association CT Chapter, 4 Oxford Road, Unit E4, Milford, CT 06460.

The family would like to extend thanks to the many friends and family who visited, sent cards or prayed for her during her illness, and to caregivers Kayla, Dolly, Allie, and Jeanne.

"Ricordatei tempi passati insieme"-- remember the times we have spent together.

Doolittle Funeral Services - Cromwell Funeral Home
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