Baker, LA - Marie Louise Crochet Swindler peacefully passed away Saturday February 28, 2026, at her home in Baker. She was born to Edmond and Lena LeBlanc Crochet in Labarre, LA on November 6, 1924. The third oldest of nine children, she outlived all of her siblings.

Marie grew up during the Great Depression, the daughter of sharecroppers. She never forgot her humble beginnings and her ability to "make do" with what she later had was a valuable lesson for her children.

Marie met Claude, or C.N. as she called him, on a blind date when he returned from serving in the Marines. They dated only three months before getting married on April 23, 1946, and were very happily married 67 years before his passing. In the late 1950's, they moved to Baker where they raised their family. She was a wonderful homemaker and had her hands full raising five children spread over 14 years.

When she finished cooking and sewing and helping them with homework, she dedicated her time to church activities at St Isidore the Farmer Catholic Church. She assisted in the St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, the annual church fair, and in Rosary Makers. She was a member of the Altar Guild, the Catholic Daughters, and The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. She also sang in the church choir and painted- mostly swamp scenes or old cabins remembered from her childhood. For many years, she donated her paintings to the church to be auctioned at their fair fundraiser.

Mom was blessed with good health. Until her stroke at 97 years old, she was a very active lady. She lived alone and continued to walk the neighborhood even when she had to use a walker due to scoliosis curving her spine. After the stroke paralyzed her right-side, live-in sitters were hired to keep her comfortable in her home, exactly where she wanted to be. Over the next four years she had many caregivers, and her family was blessed with some of the best including Wynne Battenberg and Cathy Bradley who was with her until the end. The family will be forever grateful for the love they shared with mom.

She is survived by her five children and spouses who will sorely miss her: Claudia Brian, Linda (Rudy) Rizzo, Patrick (Sandy) Swindler, Penny (Ronell) Blount and Rod (Claudia) Swindler. She also leaves behind eighteen grandchildren, thirty-six great grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren. Also surviving her are three sisters-in-law, Janet Callegan, Audrey Crochet, and Diane Crochet.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings and spouses: Pearl (H.J.) Arnold, L.C. (Joyce) Crochet, Roger Crochet, Ida Mae (Crayton) Hall, Shirley (Ralph) Jackson, Lillian (Vince) Rosar, Welton (Joan) Crochet and Ruffin Crochet and her in-laws and spouses, Patricia Swindler (J.C.) Langlois , Barbara Swindler (Harold) Robillard

and Eddy Callegan. She also outlived her son-in-law, Malcolm "B" Brian, daughter-in-law, Sharon Achord Swindler and two grandchildren, Michelle Rizzo and Jason Blount.

Visiting will be from 9:00 - 11:00 am followed by a burial mass on Friday, March 6th at St Isidore Catholic Church at the corner of Plank and Thomas Rd in Baker/Brownsfield. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery on Groom Rd in Baker. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St Isidore Church, the St. Vincent de Paul conference at St Isidore or a charity of your choice.

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