Grace I. Swope, 97, of Turbotville, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026 at Geisinger Medical Center.
Born February 21, 1929 in a farmhouse in rural Danville, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Edith (Ploch) Krum. She was married to Lester M. Swope, Sr. on September 27, 1947 and they celebrated 66 years of marriage until his death on December 4, 2013.
She was a 1947 graduate of Danville High School and earned an Associate Degree from the former Williamsport Area Community College as a dietetic technician in 1987 and retired from Lewisburg United Methodist Homes in 1994.
Grace became a member of the former St. James Lutheran Church, now Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, in 1948 and was one of the first women to serve on church council there. She was a past president of the church council, taught Sunday school, and had served as the treasurer of the Sunday school for several years.
In her earlier years, she was a den mother for Cub Scouts, was a band parent and served as president, and a football parent and served as president. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross and served on the board of the Turbotville Community Hall Corporation. She and her husband, Lester were active leaders of Warrior Run Neighbors Helping Neighbors for five years. Grace was an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan.
Surviving are four sons: Lester M. Swope, Jr. and his wife Linda of Milton; Allen B. Swope and his wife Maryanne of Harrisburg; Dr. Jay A. Swope and his wife Tracy of Northampton, England; and Matthew D. Swope and his wife Melinda of Lancaster; and two daughters: Virginia E. Bower and her husband Richard of Millville and Sue A. Hoffman and her husband Elwood of Marysville; 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, and her West Highland terrier, Scottie.
Preceding her in death besides her husband was a granddaughter, Shannon Swope, two brothers: Allen Krum and a brother who died in infancy, and two sisters: Diane McCarty and Betty Reinaker.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 10275 PA Route 44, Watsontown where a memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM with Rev. Donald Snyder officiating. Burial will follow in Turbotville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions in her memory be made to either Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, PO Box 6, Turbotville, PA 17772, one’s local SPCA, or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements are entrusted to Brooks Funeral Home and Cremation Svc, PC, 207 Broadway Street, Turbotville. To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit http://www.wfbrooksfuneralhome.com
