Josephine Swift

Josephine P. Swift December 20, 2020 Josephine "Jo" P. Swift, 89, of Baldwinsville peacefully passed away on December 20, 2020. She was the youngest of six children born on March 4, 1931, to the late Joseph and Sophia Swiech Powroznik of New York Mills. It was at St. Mary's Church in New York Mills where she married her husband of 71 years, George M. Swift. In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by a son, George Merrill, Jr., who died in infancy, as well as her brothers Stanley and Walter Powroznik, and sisters Genievive Winnicki, Ceceilia Chrabas and Leocadia (Lee) Mitsler. She is survived by her husband George and three children, Bruce (Cheri) Swift of Liverpool, NY, Susan Swift of Hamlin, NY, and Cynthia Swift Harrison of Stowe, VT, four grandchildren, Leslie Swift (Donald Pingleton), Jenessa (Chris) Williams, Julian Harrison and Abbey Harrison, and three great-grandchildren, Grace Pingleton, Avery Williams and Jacob Williams. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Mom was an excellent cook and baker. Her kitchen wall was adorned with ribbons from the NYS Fair for prize winning jams, jellies and pies. She enjoyed having dinner parties for family and friends where she could exhibit her skills. To this day, the debate still rages on as to which dessert was the best, her lemon pie or the sour cream cookies. Josephine spent 27 years in South Colton where in addition to her duties as Mother, housekeeper and spouse, she worked in the family general store. She ran the Snack Bar at the Snow Bowl for a couple of seasons. She served as President of the Alter Rosary Society of St. Paul's Church in South Colton. Mrs. Swift served as President of the Potsdam Women's Republican Club, was a member of the St. Lawrence County Women's Republican Club and Republican Committee person for Town of Colton. She was a delegate to the New York State Republican nominating conventions in 1962 and 1966. In 1976, she and George sold the family store and moved to Canton. In 1968, Josephine started working at Canton ATC, now SUNY Canton, in the alumni office. She gradually moved up the ladder from the alumni office to Continuing Education Director to Assistant to the College President. She was a strong advocate for Emergency Medical Technician training in St. Lawrence County. She was most proud of a procedural handbook she authored, "Academic Protocol: Doing It Right," which was distributed throughout the SUNY system. She received numerous awards and citations from Boy's and Girl's Scouts, many St. Lawrence County Fire and Rescue Squads, U.S. Government agencies including the Customs & Border Protection, Department of Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Army for establishing an offsite continuing education program at Fort Drum. Mrs. Swift retired from SUNY Canton after 26 years of service in 1995. After Jo retired, she became the first recipient of both a lifetime honorary membership in the SUNY Canton Alumni Association and the President's Meritorious Service Award. In retirement Jo and George enjoyed spending winters at Jekyll Island, GA, where she learned to paint and continued to entertain. There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Colton, in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jo's memory may be made to the Colton Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 304, Colton, NY 13625, or Canton Fire & Rescue, 77 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY 13617. Please sign the funeral home on-line guest book for Josephine to express your condolences to her family.