Dorothy M. Swords

Dorothy M. Swords “beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother”

ULYSSES TOWNSHIP, Pa.---Dorothy Mines “Dottie” Swords, beloved mom, grandma, and friend, unexpectedly went to be with her Lord and Savior and family who preceded her, on Wednesday, June 30, 2022, at UPMC Cole, Coudersport.

She was born November 2, 1931, in Millboro Springs, VA. She was the daughter of the late Brock Mines and Annabell McWhirt.

Dottie was a cook by trade, working at various restaurants in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She also served in the retail industry, but her greatest accomplishment was her family. She was the quintessential mom of the neighborhood kids too. With her door open policy, they knew there was always a safe place to go, sleep & eat. Dottie had a green thumb and could grow anything, loved making wine, and could take a pile of nothing and leftovers and make a gourmet meal.

She enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, horseshoes, quaits, puzzles, taking showers in the rain, crafting, and kicking butt in cards. She was never known to sit idle. She also had many idioms she would say… Good Lord willing and the creek doesn’t rise, It’ll feel good when it quits hurting, Gotta let it breathe, and the saying heard the most was, Who the hell cooked this? Don’t you believe in salt?!

Left to carry on her memory are her sons, Michael Kuria, Donald (Kim) Kuria and daughter Roseann (Gene Greeley) Hershey. Her stepchildren, Rich (Peg) Swords, Steve (Sue) Swords, Missy (Lynn) Good, and Cathy Eckenrode. Her grandchildren, Sandy Hamme, Aleisha (David) Greeley, Amanda (Eric) Petsch, Jamie Kuria, Gavin Kuria, Lindsey Kuria, Jason Kuria, Brandon (Valerie) Hershey, Danielle (Rob Heiss) Hershey. Many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and Ken Ruppert and Billy Woomer, to which she was like a second mom.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Michael Kuria, and second husband, Albert Swords, Jr, son Kenneth Gum, daughter Linda Enfield, 5 brothers and 2 sisters.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no public visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Teachers Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

And in her words- “It finally feels good. It quit hurting.”

Dottie’s family entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Dottie, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.