Dorothy E. Swope, 90

February 05, 2022

Dorothy E. Swope passed away peacefully on February 5, 2022. She was 90 years old, a twin, and born in Lancaster County to Benjamin and Gertrude (Parker) Earhart. She lived in Lancaster most of her adult life.
Known as the great birthday-card-sender into her 80’s, Dorothy was selfless and devoted to family and friends. A doer, she dedicated her life to helping others. She and her twin, Pauline, were inseparable into their twenties. They spotted and logged airplanes and recycled fat for munitions as young teens during WWII. Graduates of E-Town High School, they entered nursing school at Dispensary and Emergency Hospital, Washington DC and earned RN’s. Dorothy graduated with her BS in Nursing from UPenn in 1955. She worked in various capacities as a nurse for close to 40 years, including teaching pediatric nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital and school nursing with Lancaster School District. Within that period, she earned a M.Ed. from Millersville University in 1971 and made many friends working as a counselor and teaching ESL at the IU13 Adult Enrichment Center. A life-long learner, she was taking PhD classes at Temple University in her 50’s.
Dorothy loved crafts, being active outdoors and working with kids. Camping, hiking and biking were a big part of her family life. A Troop 328 Girl Scout Leader for many years, she was also a camp nurse at Furnace Hills, and an early member of Safe Kids, particularly focused on farm safety.
Dorothy volunteered as a Fulton Opera House usher, was an active member of the Lancaster Chapter of PASR throughout her retirement and founding member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, where she taught Sunday School, sang and played bells.
Dorothy is survived by her sons, Jeffrey (Karin) Swope and Steven (Mary) Swope; daughter, Sandra (Greg) Kurek, grandchildren, Brian, Christopher, Veronica, Alicia, Amy, Gregory, Brandon, Curtis, Autumn, Olivia and 11 great grandchildren and many loving relatives and friends. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 51 years Clayton, daughter Jill, sisters Pauline and Carolyn and brother, Benjamin. A Celebration of Life is planned for Spring 2022, Please email vze22cfh@verizon.net for more information.
In remembrance and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lancaster Girl Scouts c/o Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, 350 Hale Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17104