Dortha Samuelson

Dortha H. Samuelson, wife of the late Harry A. Samuelson and mother of only son H. Vaughn Samuelson, passed on to the Church Triumphant on March 12, 2014. She was born on February 24, 1914 in Smithfield, PA as Dortha Leona Hayden, daughter of George Roy Hayden and Emma Laura Moser, and sister of Edyth (Hayden) Bigam. Dortha has three grandchildren: Andrew Vaughn, Sara Elizabeth and Laura Lynn; and three great grandchildren: Amelia Cynthia and Robert Vaughn from the union of Andrew and Mary Wines, and Alexander Vaughn from the union of Sara and Stephen Dunn. Laura is married to Peter Diamantopoulos. Dortha remained very close to her sister’s extended family, who live or lived near Mill Run, PA.

Dortha graduated from Uniontown High School in 1932, Slippery Rock College in 1936 with a B.S. in Physical Education, and Western Reserve University in 1951 with a M.S. in Library Science. She taught in the Millcreek School system in Erie, PA from 1942 to 1978. In 1980, she moved to Chadds Ford, PA to live close to her son and his family where she attended Brandywine Baptist Church. In Erie, her family worshipped at the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Dortha belonged to the Betsy Ross Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and Needle Work Guild, and throughout her life displayed her talents through many hobbies and crafts. She endeared herself to many friends whom she cherished and remembered frequently in conversations. She will be missed by all her friends and family.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W. 26th Street Erie (at Powell Ave) on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, from 2 to 4p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend a service there on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Erie, PA. In lieu of flowers please gift to your church or charity of choice in Dortha’s memory.