Dawn Sweeley Perry, 89, of Marysville, went home to be with the Lord on April 23, 2012. She is survived by loving family members: Daughters Salli Ewing of Harrisburg, PA, and Melinda Talbot of Columbus, Ohio; granddaughter Susan Ewing, her fiancee Michael Rathfon, and great grand daughter Bailey Dawn Bankes, all of Marysville, PA; son-in-law Lee Talbot of Columbus, Ohio. She is also survived by niece Paula Sweeley of Stratford, Connecticut; nephew Lewis Sweeley of Williamsburg, Virginia; and nephew Michael Sweeley of Hayes, Virginia, all of whom considered Dawn to be their second mother.
Formerly of Swatara Street in Harrisburg, Dawn graduated from John Harris High School in 1940. Until her recent illness, Dawn still met with childhood and high school friends monthly for lunch. She received her nursing degree from Polyclinic Hospital Nursing School in 1944, always stating that she loved the pediatric ward the best of all her duties. She entered WWII as a Navy Nurse on 4/10/1945, and was stationed at a hospital in Philadelphia. There, she met her husband-to-be, South Pacific veteran Ernest Perry of Eden, North Carolina, and was engaged to him within weeks. She married him on 9/28/1946 and was with him until his death on 3/17/1988. She was discharged from the Navy on 9/2/1946 and worked at the Polyclinic Hospital until becoming a stay-at-home mother. On 8/31/2005, she was presented with a Commemorative Medal and Certificate of Appreciation for her service in WWII by Pa. State Representative Mark Keller of the 86th Legislative District. She continued to meet with her Navy nurse friends for lunch on a monthly basis throughout her life.
Dawn was a strong woman with a good sense of humor and pragmatic outlook on life. She was a constant source of strength and joy to her family and friends, stressing loyality and honesty to others above all. This outlook, no doubt, came from her upbringing around a very large close knit family consisting of her late parents, Vern Beverly Sweeley and Sarabel Calahan Sweeley; late brother Robert Sweeley, late half sister Claire Malcolm, and other assorted aunts, uncles, and cousins. Throughout her life on a yearly basis, this clan gathered at the family Cabin near Montoursville, Pa., for family reunions, card games of 500 and Geigle, croquet, quoits, swimming in the Loyalsock Creek, and general fun and mischief. Dawn was always very competitive in cards, games of Scrabble, and would often say with humor that she had inherited the "Sweeley trait" of being a poor loser at games!
Dawn enjoyed bingo and played the piano as well as the occasional penny slot machine at the casino. She knitted and crocheted and made caps for the servicemen and women in Afghanistan to wear under their helmets. She loved music, especially old hymns which reminded her of her childhood. Dawn kept her mind sharp to the end by doing daily Suduko, crossword, and word jumble puzzles. Her favorite poems were "If" by Rudyard Kipling and "Myself" by Edgar Guest, and she could recite both with ease, having learned them as a child.
She maintained regular contact with her late husband's family in North Carolina, routinely visiting the Perry clan in Eden and also having them visit her. She liked to travel with her late husband and the Golden Age group. She made annual trips to Ocean City, Maryland, for years with her immediate family, providing countless memories of fun. Dawn especially enjoyed visiting family and did so when able, going to the family Cabin routinely and to Ohio, Virginia, and Colorado on several occasions.
Dawn loved sports of all kinds and especially enjoyed talking baseball with her son-in-law, Lee, and brother-in-law, Eugene Perry. Throughout her life, she rooted for the Philadephia Phillies, could rattle off names and stats of any of the players with ease, and could tell you anything about them. Dawn was thrilled to personally attend one of the 2009 World Series games with her granddaughter, Susan, in Philadelphia when the Phillies played the New York Mets, and her photo was featured on the Phillies' fan web page.
Dawn also displayed a real sense of civic duty. She was a loyal member of her Nurses' Alumni Association, AARP, NARFE Chapter 102, as well as being a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxillery 882 in Marysville. She served on the Meals on Wheels board and often delivered said meals to those in need. She and her late husband routinely supported the Bethesda Mission and other charities as able and Dawn was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church in Marysville for well over 60 years. In doing this, she also served on the Council of Churches and assisted in many church-related fund raising events.
A staunch Democrat throughout her life, Dawn worked the polls for years on election day in Marysville and passed her love and lifelong dedication to the voting process to her daughters and granddaughter. For this dedication, Dawn was proud to be inducted into the PA Voters Hall of Fame on 4/28/2003 for 50 years of continual voting in every election, be it Presidential or Primary or local. She continued this trend afterwards, bringing her voting record to a continuous 58 years.
Dawn enjoyed life to the fullest, relying on her faith in God, family, and friends to see her through thick and thin. Dawn always treated folks as she would wish to be treated and was there for those around her with humor, common sense, the occasional "salty" language, and love. If advice was needed or sought, she would give it honestly and truly. If you were her friend, you were her friend for life. This was evidenced by continuing friendships Dawn had for 50, 60, and even 85 years. She was considered to be a second mother or dear friend to many of all generations and will be sorely missed by those who were blessed to know her.
A memorial service is scheduled at the Bethany United Methodist Church, 400 Lansvale Street, Marysville, Pa. 17053 for Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow at the church.
Per Dawn's request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Bethesda Mission, P.O. Box 3041, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105 or to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 400 Lansvale Street, Marysville, Pa. 17053.
SHALONIS--MARYSVILLE www.pennlive.com/obits
Formerly of Swatara Street in Harrisburg, Dawn graduated from John Harris High School in 1940. Until her recent illness, Dawn still met with childhood and high school friends monthly for lunch. She received her nursing degree from Polyclinic Hospital Nursing School in 1944, always stating that she loved the pediatric ward the best of all her duties. She entered WWII as a Navy Nurse on 4/10/1945, and was stationed at a hospital in Philadelphia. There, she met her husband-to-be, South Pacific veteran Ernest Perry of Eden, North Carolina, and was engaged to him within weeks. She married him on 9/28/1946 and was with him until his death on 3/17/1988. She was discharged from the Navy on 9/2/1946 and worked at the Polyclinic Hospital until becoming a stay-at-home mother. On 8/31/2005, she was presented with a Commemorative Medal and Certificate of Appreciation for her service in WWII by Pa. State Representative Mark Keller of the 86th Legislative District. She continued to meet with her Navy nurse friends for lunch on a monthly basis throughout her life.
Dawn was a strong woman with a good sense of humor and pragmatic outlook on life. She was a constant source of strength and joy to her family and friends, stressing loyality and honesty to others above all. This outlook, no doubt, came from her upbringing around a very large close knit family consisting of her late parents, Vern Beverly Sweeley and Sarabel Calahan Sweeley; late brother Robert Sweeley, late half sister Claire Malcolm, and other assorted aunts, uncles, and cousins. Throughout her life on a yearly basis, this clan gathered at the family Cabin near Montoursville, Pa., for family reunions, card games of 500 and Geigle, croquet, quoits, swimming in the Loyalsock Creek, and general fun and mischief. Dawn was always very competitive in cards, games of Scrabble, and would often say with humor that she had inherited the "Sweeley trait" of being a poor loser at games!
Dawn enjoyed bingo and played the piano as well as the occasional penny slot machine at the casino. She knitted and crocheted and made caps for the servicemen and women in Afghanistan to wear under their helmets. She loved music, especially old hymns which reminded her of her childhood. Dawn kept her mind sharp to the end by doing daily Suduko, crossword, and word jumble puzzles. Her favorite poems were "If" by Rudyard Kipling and "Myself" by Edgar Guest, and she could recite both with ease, having learned them as a child.
She maintained regular contact with her late husband's family in North Carolina, routinely visiting the Perry clan in Eden and also having them visit her. She liked to travel with her late husband and the Golden Age group. She made annual trips to Ocean City, Maryland, for years with her immediate family, providing countless memories of fun. Dawn especially enjoyed visiting family and did so when able, going to the family Cabin routinely and to Ohio, Virginia, and Colorado on several occasions.
Dawn loved sports of all kinds and especially enjoyed talking baseball with her son-in-law, Lee, and brother-in-law, Eugene Perry. Throughout her life, she rooted for the Philadephia Phillies, could rattle off names and stats of any of the players with ease, and could tell you anything about them. Dawn was thrilled to personally attend one of the 2009 World Series games with her granddaughter, Susan, in Philadelphia when the Phillies played the New York Mets, and her photo was featured on the Phillies' fan web page.
Dawn also displayed a real sense of civic duty. She was a loyal member of her Nurses' Alumni Association, AARP, NARFE Chapter 102, as well as being a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxillery 882 in Marysville. She served on the Meals on Wheels board and often delivered said meals to those in need. She and her late husband routinely supported the Bethesda Mission and other charities as able and Dawn was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church in Marysville for well over 60 years. In doing this, she also served on the Council of Churches and assisted in many church-related fund raising events.
A staunch Democrat throughout her life, Dawn worked the polls for years on election day in Marysville and passed her love and lifelong dedication to the voting process to her daughters and granddaughter. For this dedication, Dawn was proud to be inducted into the PA Voters Hall of Fame on 4/28/2003 for 50 years of continual voting in every election, be it Presidential or Primary or local. She continued this trend afterwards, bringing her voting record to a continuous 58 years.
Dawn enjoyed life to the fullest, relying on her faith in God, family, and friends to see her through thick and thin. Dawn always treated folks as she would wish to be treated and was there for those around her with humor, common sense, the occasional "salty" language, and love. If advice was needed or sought, she would give it honestly and truly. If you were her friend, you were her friend for life. This was evidenced by continuing friendships Dawn had for 50, 60, and even 85 years. She was considered to be a second mother or dear friend to many of all generations and will be sorely missed by those who were blessed to know her.
A memorial service is scheduled at the Bethany United Methodist Church, 400 Lansvale Street, Marysville, Pa. 17053 for Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow at the church.
Per Dawn's request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Bethesda Mission, P.O. Box 3041, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105 or to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 400 Lansvale Street, Marysville, Pa. 17053.
SHALONIS--MARYSVILLE www.pennlive.com/obits
Dawn Sweeley Perry, 89, of Marysville, went home to be with the Lord on April 23, 2012. She is survived by loving family members: Daughters Salli Ewing of Harrisburg, PA, and Melinda Talbot of Columbus, Ohio; granddaughter Susan Ewing, her fiancee Michael Rathfon, and great grand daughter Bailey Dawn Bankes, all of Marysville, PA; son-in-law Lee Talbot of Columbus, Ohio. She is also survived by niece Paula Sweeley of Stratford, Connecticut; nephew Lewis Sweeley of Williamsburg, Virginia; and nephew Michael Sweeley of Hayes, Virginia, all of whom considered Dawn to be their second mother.
Formerly of Swatara Street in Harrisburg, Dawn graduated from John Harris High School in 1940. Until her recent illness, Dawn still met with childhood and high school friends monthly for lunch. She received her nursing degree from Polyclinic Hospital Nursing School in 1944, always stating that she loved the pediatric ward the best of all her duties. She entered WWII as a Navy Nurse on 4/10/1945, and was stationed at a hospital in Philadelphia. There, she met her husband-to-be, South Pacific veteran Ernest Perry of Eden, North Carolina, and was engaged to him within weeks. She married him on 9/28/1946 and was with him until his death on 3/17/1988. She was discharged from the Navy on 9/2/1946 and worked at the Polyclinic Hospital until becoming a stay-at-home mother. On 8/31/2005, she was presented with a Commemorative Medal and Certificate of Appreciation for her service in WWII by Pa. State Representative Mark Keller of the 86th Legislative District. She continued to meet with her Navy nurse friends for lunch on a monthly basis throughout her life.
Dawn was a strong woman with a good sense of humor and pragmatic outlook on life. She was a constant source of strength and joy to her family and friends, stressing loyality and honesty to others above all. This outlook, no doubt, came from her upbringing around a very large close knit family consisting of her late parents, Vern Beverly Sweeley and Sarabel Calahan Sweeley; late brother Robert Sweeley, late half sister Claire Malcolm, and other assorted aunts, uncles, and cousins. Throughout her life on a yearly basis, this clan gathered at the family Cabin near Montoursville, Pa., for family reunions, card games of 500 and Geigle, croquet, quoits, swimming in the Loyalsock Creek, and general fun and mischief. Dawn was always very competitive in cards, games of Scrabble, and would often say with humor that she had inherited the "Sweeley trait" of being a poor loser at games!
Dawn enjoyed bingo and played the piano as well as the occasional penny slot machine at the casino. She knitted and crocheted and made caps for the servicemen and women in Afghanistan to wear under their helmets. She loved music, especially old hymns which reminded her of her childhood. Dawn kept her mind sharp to the end by doing daily Suduko, crossword, and word jumble puzzles. Her favorite poems were "If" by Rudyard Kipling and "Myself" by Edgar Guest, and she could recite both with ease, having learned them as a child.
She maintained regular contact with her late husband's family in North Carolina, routinely visiting the Perry clan in Eden and also having them visit her. She liked to travel with her late husband and the Golden Age group. She made annual trips to Ocean City, Maryland, for years with her immediate family, providing countless memories of fun. Dawn especially enjoyed visiting family and did so when able, going to the family Cabin routinely and to Ohio, Virginia, and Colorado on several occasions.
Dawn loved sports of all kinds and especially enjoyed talking baseball with her son-in-law, Lee, and brother-in-law, Eugene Perry. Throughout her life, she rooted for the Philadephia Phillies, could rattle off names and stats of any of the players with ease, and could tell you anything about them. Dawn was thrilled to personally attend one of the 2009 World Series games with her granddaughter, Susan, in Philadelphia when the Phillies played the New York Mets, and her photo was featured on the Phillies' fan web page.
Dawn also displayed a real sense of civic duty. She was a loyal member of her Nurses' Alumni Association, AARP, NARFE Chapter 102, as well as being a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxillery 882 in Marysville. She served on the Meals on Wheels board and often delivered said meals to those in need. She and her late husband routinely supported the Bethesda Mission and other charities as able and Dawn was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church in Marysville for well over 60 years. In doing this, she also served on the Council of Churches and assisted in many church-related fund raising events.
A staunch Democrat throughout her life, Dawn worked the polls for years on election day in Marysville and passed her love and lifelong dedication to the voting process to her daughters and granddaughter. For this dedication, Dawn was proud to be inducted into the PA Voters Hall of Fame on 4/28/2003 for 50 years of continual voting in every election, be it Presidential or Primary or local. She continued this trend afterwards, bringing her voting record to a continuous 58 years.
Dawn enjoyed life to the fullest, relying on her faith in God, family, and friends to see her through thick and thin. Dawn always treated folks as she would wish to be treated and was there for those around her with humor, common sense, the occasional "salty" language, and love. If advice was needed or sought, she would give it honestly and truly. If you were her friend, you were her friend for life. This was evidenced by continuing friendships Dawn had for 50, 60, and even 85 years. She was considered to be a second mother or dear friend to many of all generations and will be sorely missed by those who were blessed to know her.
A memorial service is scheduled at the Bethany United Methodist Church, 400 Lansvale Street, Marysville, Pa. 17053 for Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow at the church.
Per Dawn's request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Bethesda Mission, P.O. Box 3041, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105 or to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 400 Lansvale Street, Marysville, Pa. 17053.
SHALONIS--MARYSVILLE www.pennlive.com/obits
Formerly of Swatara Street in Harrisburg, Dawn graduated from John Harris High School in 1940. Until her recent illness, Dawn still met with childhood and high school friends monthly for lunch. She received her nursing degree from Polyclinic Hospital Nursing School in 1944, always stating that she loved the pediatric ward the best of all her duties. She entered WWII as a Navy Nurse on 4/10/1945, and was stationed at a hospital in Philadelphia. There, she met her husband-to-be, South Pacific veteran Ernest Perry of Eden, North Carolina, and was engaged to him within weeks. She married him on 9/28/1946 and was with him until his death on 3/17/1988. She was discharged from the Navy on 9/2/1946 and worked at the Polyclinic Hospital until becoming a stay-at-home mother. On 8/31/2005, she was presented with a Commemorative Medal and Certificate of Appreciation for her service in WWII by Pa. State Representative Mark Keller of the 86th Legislative District. She continued to meet with her Navy nurse friends for lunch on a monthly basis throughout her life.
Dawn was a strong woman with a good sense of humor and pragmatic outlook on life. She was a constant source of strength and joy to her family and friends, stressing loyality and honesty to others above all. This outlook, no doubt, came from her upbringing around a very large close knit family consisting of her late parents, Vern Beverly Sweeley and Sarabel Calahan Sweeley; late brother Robert Sweeley, late half sister Claire Malcolm, and other assorted aunts, uncles, and cousins. Throughout her life on a yearly basis, this clan gathered at the family Cabin near Montoursville, Pa., for family reunions, card games of 500 and Geigle, croquet, quoits, swimming in the Loyalsock Creek, and general fun and mischief. Dawn was always very competitive in cards, games of Scrabble, and would often say with humor that she had inherited the "Sweeley trait" of being a poor loser at games!
Dawn enjoyed bingo and played the piano as well as the occasional penny slot machine at the casino. She knitted and crocheted and made caps for the servicemen and women in Afghanistan to wear under their helmets. She loved music, especially old hymns which reminded her of her childhood. Dawn kept her mind sharp to the end by doing daily Suduko, crossword, and word jumble puzzles. Her favorite poems were "If" by Rudyard Kipling and "Myself" by Edgar Guest, and she could recite both with ease, having learned them as a child.
She maintained regular contact with her late husband's family in North Carolina, routinely visiting the Perry clan in Eden and also having them visit her. She liked to travel with her late husband and the Golden Age group. She made annual trips to Ocean City, Maryland, for years with her immediate family, providing countless memories of fun. Dawn especially enjoyed visiting family and did so when able, going to the family Cabin routinely and to Ohio, Virginia, and Colorado on several occasions.
Dawn loved sports of all kinds and especially enjoyed talking baseball with her son-in-law, Lee, and brother-in-law, Eugene Perry. Throughout her life, she rooted for the Philadephia Phillies, could rattle off names and stats of any of the players with ease, and could tell you anything about them. Dawn was thrilled to personally attend one of the 2009 World Series games with her granddaughter, Susan, in Philadelphia when the Phillies played the New York Mets, and her photo was featured on the Phillies' fan web page.
Dawn also displayed a real sense of civic duty. She was a loyal member of her Nurses' Alumni Association, AARP, NARFE Chapter 102, as well as being a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxillery 882 in Marysville. She served on the Meals on Wheels board and often delivered said meals to those in need. She and her late husband routinely supported the Bethesda Mission and other charities as able and Dawn was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church in Marysville for well over 60 years. In doing this, she also served on the Council of Churches and assisted in many church-related fund raising events.
A staunch Democrat throughout her life, Dawn worked the polls for years on election day in Marysville and passed her love and lifelong dedication to the voting process to her daughters and granddaughter. For this dedication, Dawn was proud to be inducted into the PA Voters Hall of Fame on 4/28/2003 for 50 years of continual voting in every election, be it Presidential or Primary or local. She continued this trend afterwards, bringing her voting record to a continuous 58 years.
Dawn enjoyed life to the fullest, relying on her faith in God, family, and friends to see her through thick and thin. Dawn always treated folks as she would wish to be treated and was there for those around her with humor, common sense, the occasional "salty" language, and love. If advice was needed or sought, she would give it honestly and truly. If you were her friend, you were her friend for life. This was evidenced by continuing friendships Dawn had for 50, 60, and even 85 years. She was considered to be a second mother or dear friend to many of all generations and will be sorely missed by those who were blessed to know her.
A memorial service is scheduled at the Bethany United Methodist Church, 400 Lansvale Street, Marysville, Pa. 17053 for Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow at the church.
Per Dawn's request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Bethesda Mission, P.O. Box 3041, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105 or to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 400 Lansvale Street, Marysville, Pa. 17053.
SHALONIS--MARYSVILLE www.pennlive.com/obits
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