Dorothy Jean Schwers

Dorothy Jean Schwers, 89 of Austintown died early Wednesday morning at Park Vista Retirement Community. Dorothy was born on March 4, 1928 in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Russell Pierce Donahue of the First Austintown Fitch Graduating Class in 1918 and Florence (Baker) Donahue whose family were early settlers of Austintown. Dorothy graduated from Austintown Fitch High School, Class of 1946 where she sang in the Choir and played Flute & Piccolo under the schools first band director Mr. A.G Snell who she would later work for as Principal of Frank Ohl Middle School. Dorothy went on to attend the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, where she received her Bachelors Degree in Music in 1950. While performing in the YSU college orchestra, she met and married William George Schwers of Youngstown on December 29, 1951. She received her Masters Degree in Piano Performance from Kent State University in 1980. Dorothy taught Vocal Music & Choir in the Austintown Public Schools (Frank Ohl & Austintown Middle) for nearly 37 years until her retirement in 1993. She served as Music Director for Mineral Ridge Christian Church where she was a life-long member. She was a member of the Youngstown State University Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) music Sorority for Women and was later elected President for the Ohio Provence. While Dorothy was the Province Officer, she helped start chapters of Sigma Alpha Iota at The Ohio State University and Muskingum College. In 2001, Dorothy was named YWCA Woman of the Year, culminating her life long career as an outstanding educator and leader in the Austintown Community who deeply touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma - International Society of Outstanding Women Educators, National Womens' Book of Who's Who, American Federation of Teachers, Austintown Retired Teacher's Association and the Youngstown Music Teachers Association. She leaves two sons, Russell A. (Marianne) Schwers of Hollis, New Hampshire, William A.(Carol) Schwers of Naperville, Illinois; three grandchildren, Ryan Schwers, Alexa Schwers and Michael Schwers. Besides her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, William G. Schwers; her step-mother, Donabelle, who raised Dorothy as an infant after the death of her birth mother; a sister, Marilyn Wheaton and a grandson, Jerry Schwers. Friends may call on Friday, December 29th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Lane Family Funeral Homes, 5797 Mahoning Ave., Austintown Chapel Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.lanefuneralhomes.com.