Obituary of Mildred M. Swarts PhD

Mildred M. Swarts, PhD Ed, age 81, of Rome, passed away peacefully September 25, 2011, with her loving family at her side. She was born August 10, 1930, in Hoboken, NJ, a daughter of Carmen and Rose Coppola Matarazzo. Mildred was united in marriage to William G. Swarts on July 25, 1953, in Hoboken, NJ. She proudly served in the United States Air Force as a nurse during the Korean War. She was a member of St. Joseph's Church and St. Joseph's Church Women's Club. Mildred had a very extensive and rewarding professional and personal career. She graduated from St. Mary's Nursing School in 1951. She later received a Bachelor Degree from SUNY Oswego and Master of Education Degree from Rutgers University and was conferred her PhD in Education by Rutgers University in 1981. She served as a lecturer at the Elmira College Off Campus Program, interim Principal at Gansevoort School, Assistant Principal at Strough Junior High and Principal at DeWitt Clinton Elementary School, and later served as Curriculum Director for the Rome City School District. She also served as a teacher at SUNY Oswego and Assistant Professor at SUNY IT. She was a Health Occupations and Nursing instructor at Madison Oneida BOCES, and served in Supervision and Coordination of the Nursing Program at Madison Oneida BOCES. She was instrumental in developing the Nursing Program at MVCC. She also received permanent certification in School District Administration and Supervision. She had many professional and community affiliations, including: American Education Research Association, American Vocational Education Research Association, American Vocational Association, Omicron Tau Theta Graduate Honor Society, Rutgers University Alumni Association, Rutgers University Graduate School Alumni and Oswego Alumni. The Italian American Heritage Association, Italian American Cultural Center, former Rome Family Y Board member, SUNY IT Seniors on Active Retirement (SOAR) Program, and former Rome Hospital Board member and Rome Board of Education member. A member of the National Retired Officers Association, and member and Past President of the Greater Rome-Utica Chapter of Military Officers Association of America. A recipient of State and National Public & Business Grants, Women of Merit in the Mohawk Valley Award, SUNY IT Excellence in Teaching Award, was listed in the Who's Who in the East, received a National Fellowship for Leadership Development, and the National Defense Award. Mildred also was a founder and active member of the JRROTC Program at Rome Free Academy. She was very active in pursuing State and National recognition for nurses and their service in the U.S. Military. Mildred is survived by her husband, William; children, Kristin Swarts and Jacqueline Johnston, of Rome, Jayne Swarts, of Portland, OR, Mary and Craig Carney, of West Turin, Paula and Walter Burnor, of Rome, William G. Swarts, Jr., of Costa Mesa, CA, and Jon David and Sandra Swarts, of Phoenix, NY; two sisters, Phyllis Walker and Jeanette Kloepping, both of Manahawken, NJ; grandchildren, Amanda Cant, Loren Burnor, William Burnor, Adam Burnor, Clarence Case and Claudia Case; and a great-ganddaughter, Mackenzie Cant. Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:30 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, and at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph's Church, Lee Center. Burial with full military honors will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Thursday, 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. The family would like to thank the following for their care and kindness: the staff of Betsy Ross Nursing Home; the staff of Rome Memorial Hospital and Dr. Potluri, Nurse Practioner Patricia Marrello and Dr. Brian Alessi's staff; the Visiting Nurses Association; the staff of the Beeches Restaurant in Rome; and friends and family of Dr. Mildred Swarts. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Rome-Utica Chapter of Military Officers Association of America.