Dorothy L. “Dottie” Swanson, age 69 of Waterford, passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Cleveland Clinic from injuries sustained in an automobile accident last week. Born February 16, 1942 in Erie, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Pearl Nowakowski Nakoski.
Dottie loved God and had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of her love for God, she also cared deeply for people and was even known to start meaningful conversations with strangers, who did not remain strangers for long. She enjoyed journaling about her own life experiences, and would often share her writings with those who may benefit from them.
She attended Sparrow Pond Fellowship in Waterford and was a longtime member of Erie First Assembly of God. Years ago, Dottie worked at Hammermill Paper, and for the last 18 years she helped raise her grandchildren–a job she dearly loved. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, siblings, and her dog Izzy.
Dottie is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald E. Swanson, whom she married November 25, 1961 and who died just six months prior on August 11, 2010.
Surviving family members include a son, Ronald M. Swanson and his wife Colleen Burdick Swanson of Clarion; two daughters, Carolyn Lathrop and her husband Harry of Waterford, and Susan Conner and her husband Andrew of Bloomsburg, PA; also, ten grandchildren, Michael Allen, Rachel Lynn and Daniel Aaron Swanson, Justin Michael, Jacob Andrew, Jessica Lynne and Joshua Douglas Lathrop, and Kelsie Elizabeth, Alyssa Nicole and Emily Marie Conner. She is further survived by a brother, Pete Nakoski and his wife Terry of Harborcreek; three sisters, Theresa Allegretto and her husband Paul of Harborcreek, Rose Genshemier of Venice, FL, and Anne Marie Scherer and her husband Bob of Erie.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9pm and may attend funeral services there on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Scott Crowell of Sparrow Pond Fellowship officiating.
I am very sorry for your loss. It’s been along time but I always remember your parents love for each other and all of you. I’ll continue to pray for you and your families.
Dottie implanted into our family a wonderful example of how to relate to God on a daily basis and love Him and serve Him. She and her family were also just fun to be with and so full of life. We will miss her greatly, but we are glad she is “home”.
Mike, Stella, Paul, and Amanda Cradduck
Dottie was one of my dearest and closest friends. I will miss her greatly. My memories are all good ones of the wonderful times we have had serving the Lord. May God strengthen her family and bring them peace. Love to you all Kathy