Dorothy M. "Dorrie" Swiatkowski

Dorothy (Leavy) Swiatkowski, 81, of Fox Chase, formerly of Bensalem, PA, and Port Charlotte, FL, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2024, in Philadelphia, PA. She was a retired nursing supervisor and a loving wife, sister, cousin, aunt, and grandmother.

Born December 9, 1942, in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Thomas J. and Dorothy (Adams) Leavy. Affectionately known as Dorrie, she graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School. She pursued a career in nursing and was awarded her bachelor’s degree in nursing from D'Youville University in Buffalo, NY, in 1974, and her master’s degree in counseling and human relations in 1980 from Villanova University in Villanova, Pa. Dorrie spent many years of distinguished service as a psychiatric nurse at Mercy Hospital in Lansdowne, Pa, and as a nursing supervisor at Riverside Behavioral Center in Port Charlotte, Florida, from where she retired in 2018.

It was in Bensalem where she met the love of her life, Richard. They were married 31 years and enjoyed a beautiful marriage, including moving to Port Charlotte, Florida, in 2005. Anyone who knew them together saw the love they shared.

Dorrie and Richard also shared a love of Florida, and one of their favorite things to do was to drive around and explore the state. They especially loved finding new restaurants along the waterfront to enjoy together, and watching their favorite Philadelphia professional sports teams. Dorrie also traveled regularly to the Philadelphia area to visit her extended family and friends. Dorrie’s caregiving abilities were unmatched as she lovingly cared for her husband and doted on close and extended family members. She enjoyed taking her grandchildren on many adventures in Florida, and on an all-time favorite trip, they hand-fed a flock of flamingos!

Dorrie and her husband returned to the Philadelphia area in the summer of 2020, and Dorrie was reunited with many of her friends from the Grey Nuns community. Dorrie was also active in her Lafayette Redeemer community, serving on the Resident Council and planning events for her fellow community members. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard, her stepchildren, Donna (Jim) Czekner, Erik (Danielle) Swiatkowski, and Richard Moscatel, (Chris) along with 6 grandchildren, Lauren, Robyn, Kerri, Tara, Brenna, and Michael, her brother, Michael Leavy (Grace), and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Joseph Leavy.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider contributions in Dorrie’s memory to St. Jude at stjude.org.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 9:20 AM to 10:20 AM at St. Cecilia’s Church, 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19111. A Catholic Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 AM with Words of Remembrance preceding the funeral mass.  Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.