Dorothy Ruth Swan (Isanhart)

Dorothy Ruth Isanhart Swan, age 101, was born in Detroit, Michigan. Dorothy was one of five children, and the only girl, born to Charles Thomas Isanhart and Mae Damon Isanhart. An interesting fact about Dorothy, is that she shared a birth date, April 11, with her brother William, and died on her brother Ford’s birth date, 13 February.

Dorothy was married to Larry Swan

Dorothy worked at a variety of jobs throughout her life. During World War II, she was one of the legendary Rosie the Riveters, the women who stepped into the manufacturing jobs vacated by men who went off to fight. She worked for the Vickers Corporation, making parts for the ball turrets for B-24 (Liberator) bombers. Of interest, some these very bombers, that she helped to make, were the very ones flown by the squadron her brother Ford was assigned to in the US Army 8th Air Force in England. Following the war, Dorothy worked as an assistant at several doctors' offices in the Detroit area, performing duties that today would largely be carried out by a licensed practical nurse. In these positions Dorothy was known for the exceptional care she provided for patients under her charge.

Dorothy had a beautiful smile and lovingly cared for her mother and her brother Charles until their deaths.

At the time of her death Dorothy was a member of the American Rosie the Riveters Association, which celebrates the contribution these women made to victory in the war. Dorothy’s name can be seen proudly displayed on the roster of Rosies at the Willow Run Chapter, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The roster can be found at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport.

Dorothy had a lifelong love of animals, owning both cats and dogs over the years, and she allowed her garage to serve as a shelter for small animals looking for a place to get out of the elements.

There are many cherished memories of Aunt Dorothy. Niece Diane remembers a red dress that Dorothy gave her as a little girl, and how upset Diane was when she outgrew it; Judy, too, has a very fond memory of a blue dress that Dorothy gave her, and has kept the photograph of her in it to this day; and Roberta remembers the fun she had as the flower-girl in Dorothy’s wedding.

Dorothy was proceeded in death by: Her father, Charles Isannhart; her mother Mae Damon Isanahrt; brothers: Robert, Ford, Charles, William Isanhart; half-brothers Ray and Ervin Isanhart; and nieces Elaine Isanhart Davis, and Patty Isanhart Blomquist; nephews: Raydon, Lyle, James, Robert, and Jon Isanhart; and her husband, Lawrence Swan.

She is survived by nieces: Diane Isanhart Bankes, Judy Isanhart Hansen, Roberta Isanhart Meredith, Normajean Isanhart Schreffler, and Sharel Isanhart Brown; nephew, William Isanhart; and great, great, great niece Jadzia Albert, and great, great, great nephew Roman Schlief as well as others.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to:
• The Salvation Army;
• The ASPCA or an animal rescue shelter of your choice; or
• Elara Hospice