Jessie Wood Gare Bierwert, 95, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. For the previous several months, she had battled cancer at home, supported by her children who were with her each day. Jessie was born on September 22, 1925, in Northampton, and she lived almost all of her years in Northampton. Jessie was the daughter of Edward J. Gare, Jr., and Marion Wood Gare. Her brothers were Luther Stearns Gare and (Edward) John Gare III. She graduated from Northampton High School in 1942, and she spent some of her summers in high school as a lifeguard at the Look Park pool. During the war she was also a statistician at Woods Hole. At Smith College, she participated in synchronized swimming and crew, both of which she loved. She graduated from Smith College in 1946 and earned her M.Ed. in Kinesiology at Smith in 1961. She remained a strong supporter of the college and was active in the Alumnae Association. Following college graduation, Jessie began work in the plastics division of the Monsanto Company in Indian Orchard, where she met Donald Bierwert. They were married on December 14, 1947, in the Florence Congregational Church. They had three children: Crisca, Kim, and Karen. The family took many camping trips through the years as the children were growing up. Later, she and Don enjoyed holidays in the Caribbean. Jessie maintained an avid interest in swimming and water safety throughout her life. In fact she swam into her 94th year, serving as an inspiration to others. She shared her love of the water with her children, who became competitive swimmers. Also, she taught American Red Cross Water Safety instruction courses at the Northampton Y, and she taught synchronized swimming at the Holyoke Y. In the late 1960s, Jessie was a swimming coach at the Northampton Y and the Northampton High School. In 1968, she coached the NHS girls’ team to win its first Western Massachusetts Girls High School Swimming and Diving Championship. In later years, Jessie loved watching swim classes at the Northampton Swim Club, where she was a constant presence, beloved, a kind of grande dame for what is a very large swimming “family.” During the 1960s she also began teaching math at Hawley Junior High School, which she continued through the late 1970s. Her students generally described her as “stern but fair.” Jessie also gave back to her community by volunteering at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital coffee shop and the Survival Center. Jessie was an avid Red Sox fan. She enjoyed crosswords, other puzzles and games, and knitting; and she loved to cook and bake. Above all else, Jessie was devoted to her family. She is remembered for her sharp wit and keen mind, which remained into her last days. She was quite strong in body and will, yet she was also graceful. She was one of a kind. Jessie is survived by daughter Crisca of Seattle, son Kim (LouAnn) of Leeds, daughter Karen (Joe Henefield) of Florence; grandchildren Robin Russell (Mary Ellen) of Seattle, Lars Russell of Austin, Morgan Russell of Oakland, Lindsay Bierwert of Charlotte, NC, Joel Bierwert of Holyoke; great grandchildren Sophia and Vivian Russell of Seattle; and nieces Pamela Gare of Lake Wales, Florida, Candace McDougall (David) of Southampton, and Tracey Polachek (Daniel) of Northampton. In addition to her parents and brothers, Jessie was preceded in death by her husband Donald V. Bierwert. Calling hours will be held at Czelusniak Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 3 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM, with time from 6:30 to 7:00 PM reserved for remembrances for those who would like to speak briefly. Burial in Spring Grove Cemetery will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mass Eye and Ear (https://www.masseyeandear.org/makeagift ), American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/), or the charity of your choice.