Helen
Helen Swomley
d. August 14, 2011
Mrs. Helen Catherine Stang Swomley, 96, went to be with the Lord and her loving husband, Harry, on August 14, 2011. Born on June 4, 1915, she was the daughter of Luther and Annie Summers Stang, of Urbana, MD.
Growing up as a farm girl, she met and married Harry in 1937, and established their first farm near Lilly Ponds, MD. They later settled on their farm near Emmitsburg, until retirement.
Helen is survived by three sons: Richard, of Lancaster, PA. ; Kenneth and wife Audrey, of Dillsburg, PA. ; and David and wife Laura, of Gettysburg, PA.; six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Harry Swomley, Jr. ; three brothers, Joseph, Claude, and Russell Stang; and five sisters, Mildred Biser, Kathleen Snoots, Virginia Ecker, Charlotte Crouse and Margaret Ridgley. She was preceded by her infant son, Harry Luther Swomley.
Helen was a hard-working active partner of a traditional 1950’s dairy farm, and worked outside as well as in the house. She was proud of her dozens of homemade, hand-stitched quilts. And any visitor who accepted her invitation of “won’t you stay and have dinner with us” , was definitely in for a treat.
She was an active member of the Emmitsburg/Thurmont Grange, and the Tom’s Creek United Methodist Church. They also loved attending services and activities at the Eyler Valley Chapel. Helen was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, stressed keep close ties to her family, and looked forward to family reunions.
The family also wishes to offer their eternal gratitude to the staff at the Gettysburg Lutheran Home.
The family will receive friends at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick on Wednesday, August 17
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from 7:00-9:00PM. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 18
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at 10:00AM with Rev. David Coblentz and Rev. Karen Sadler officiating.
Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, 260 West High Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
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