Esmeralda Swindle of Puerto Vallarta and Oak Bluffs died peacefully at home on Feb. 21. She was 83.

She was born in Jalisco, Mexico on July 28, 1938, the youngest of four. She grew up in Mexico City, graduated from the American School Foundation in 1953 and continued her studies in Paris, where she met her husband John Swindle. The two lived in Mexico, Canada, England and the United States.

She became a summer resident in an Camp Meeting Association gingerbread cottage after visiting Martha’s Vineyard in 1971. The blue and white cottage became the gathering place for family and friends every summer. She could often be found working on a project there, caning chairs or making beach plum jelly. She became part of the wonderful group of beachgoers at Jetty Beach where she delighted in conversation. She enjoyed a game of bridge with neighbors and mahjong, which she learned to play at The Anchors. She could often be seen walking her Chihuahua Lola around the Camp Ground. Her gregarious smile was treasured by many.

Esmeralda was predeceased by her husband John in 1977. She is survived by daughter Maura Swindle and her husband Jordi and their children, Jordi John and Jackie; and Leslie and her husband Antonio and their sons Santiago and Daniel.