Karen Anne Frontiero Swanson

Karen Anne Frontiero Swanson, 72, of Chester, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, following a brief battle with cancer. She was born on July 22, 1953, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, to the late Serafino "The Bull" Frontiero and the late Nina Randazza Frontiero.
Karen grew up in Gloucester "down the fort" and spent most of her life on the North Shore of Massachusetts, primarily in Gloucester, Rockport, and Beverly.
After earning an Associate's Degree from the Chandler School for Women, she began a long professional career that included various roles within the Rockport Public Schools. She was a special needs teacher, a librarian, the middle school secretary and sometimes a permanent substitute for various subjects. She later worked in the Office of the President at Endicott College, a role that inspired her to continue her education-earning both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Endicott College. In the years before her retirement, Karen worked closer to her home she shared with her husband, Robert Swanson, in Chester, NH at Hampstead Academy. She was grateful for the lifelong friendships she made during each epoch of her career.
Karen had a lifelong love for cooking, a passion rooted in her Sicilian heritage. She was known for her "bysta with the sugo", holiday meals, and the joy she found in feeding others. Whether preparing a full spread for family gatherings or simply sharing a meal with a friend, she believed food was one of the best ways to bring people together. The word "mangia" or the phrase "eat something" were ones she would often. Hosting family and friends brought her joy, and her table was always open.
Karen is survived by her husband of 12 years, Robert Swanson; her daughters, Kelli Hartley and her husband Robert, and Brittany Jonaitis; and her granddaughters, Ava and Ella Hartley. She also leaves behind her siblings, Ronald Frontiero and his wife Mary, and Lesa Frontiero Tilzey and her husband John, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Through her marriage to Robert, Karen gained an additional extended family and is also survived by his children: Jessica Porter and her husband Jim, and her daughters, Chloe and Juliet; and Robert's son Adam Swanson and his daughter River, as well as River's mother Lori Faircloth.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional teams at Mass General's Cancer Center, the Elliot Hospital's ED and Palliative Care as well as at High Pointe house in Haverhill, MA for their compassionate care and support provided to Karen throughout her illness. Their dedication, kindness and professionalism made an immeasurable difference during a difficult time, and the family is deeply thankful for the dignity and comfort they helped provide in her final days.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Calvary Cemetery (165 Eastern Ave, Gloucester, MA). A Celebration of Life will follow from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant & Marketplace (27 Enon Street, Beverly, MA).
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society in Karen's name – https://donate.cancer.org/