Obituary: Dorothy “Dot” Elaine Swanson
Dorothy Elaine Swanson (1943 – 2018)
Dorothy “Dot” Elaine Swanson passed from this life on July 5, 2018, at home in South Haven, Michigan. She was born July 18, 1943, in Junction, West Virginia, to Guy and Margaret (Corbin) Hartman, one of nine children. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Nels Peter Swanson of South Haven, Michigan; her daughter Erika and and son-in-law Lucas Sponsler of Parma, Michigan, and their children Stella and Hart; son Fritz Swanson and daughter-in-law Sara and their children Oscar and Abi of Manchester, Michigan; two brothers, Donald Hartman and Ralph Hartman of Keyser, West Virginia; one sister, Margaret “Sallie” Wingate of Richmond; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dot taught school for four years in Mineral County, West Virginia, and then four more years in South Haven, Michigan, before moving to Parma, Michigan, and working as a librarian for the Jackson District Library from 1982 to 2002. Upon “retirement” and a return to South Haven, she worked from 2003 to 2017 at Glenn Public School. She loved working with children and volunteered with her own children’s teachers and continued to be involved in their later teaching careers. Dot especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s various events and activities.
Donations can be made in her name to any of the above school systems, to the Friends of Parma Library, or to the cancer research charity of your choosing, as Dot was a 25-year cancer survivor. At her request, no services will be held as she chose the gift of anatomical donation to the University of Michigan Medical School. Special thanks to Caring Circle Hospice, and to all the medical professionals over the years who helped Dot work to live a life of vibrant enthusiasm. Interment will take place at a later date at Elijah High Cemetery in Purgitsville, West Virginia.
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