Donna Lee (Eyler) Swope, 84 of Gettysburg passed away peacefully at Gettysburg Center on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Donald C. Swope, whom she wed on November 4, 1961. Mr. & Mrs. Swope were happily married until Donald's passing on December 7, 2009.

Donna was born in Baltimore on May 2, 1941 to Cecil and Barbara (Hoerner) Watkins. Upon the passing of her mother, she was adopted in December of 1942 and raised by the late Raymond and Maude E. (Moser) Eyler. She grew up in Keysville, MD near the birth place of Francis Scott Key. She often told people she was happy that the UCC (Reformed Church) she grew up in was on a plot of land donated by Francis Scott Key himself. Graduating 2nd in her class from Taneytown High School in 1959, she went immediately on to work in the Birnie Trust Co. Bank at 17 years of age. Her hobbies included listening to various types of music, playing the piano, reading about wildlife, nature, Bible study and participating in various church activities. She also loved dogs of all types. Above all, Donna always made sure to spend time each day in God's Word by reading the Scriptures.

Mrs. Swope is survived by two children: Diane D. Hoke and husband John of Hanover, PA, D. Lee Swope and wife Joanna of Taneytown, MD; three grandchildren: Nicole Bassler of Westminster, MD, Lauren Rasche of Taneytown, MD and Darrin Hitzelberger of Taneytown, MD; six great-grandchildren and five siblings: Jeanne Yarussi, Betty Bond, Patty Laughlin, Vera Jennings and Ronald Watkins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Ronald "Dennis" Swope and her identical twin sister, Linda Mutro.

A memorial service to celebrate Donna's life will be held on Thursday, May 15th at Mt. Joy Lutheran Church; 2615 Taneytown Rd. in Gettysburg with Pastor Cathy Feil officiating. The family will receive guests at the church from 10:30am until the service begins at 11am. Interment will be in private by the family in the church cemetery.

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