Dorothy Rae (Schwanger) Smith

Dorothy Rae (Schwanger) Smith, 81, passed away peacefully at home on September 20, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's Disease. 

She was born April 1, 1944, in Sandusky, to Wilfred and Berdine (Sturzinger) Schwanger. 

Dorothy was a 1962 graduate of Sandusky High School, and a long-time parishioner and volunteer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She worked at the Sandusky YMCA and retired from Margaretta Local Schools where she had a warm presence and tireless work ethic, and proudly was the “school mom” to many. If you knew her, you know she had the gift of gab and never met a stranger. She enjoyed reading, walking, working in her yard, having breakfast with friends, and most important to her was spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She took an interest in all of their activities and never missed an event.

Dorothy was a devoted mother to; Deborah Gonzales of Sandusky, Dana (Ken) Nasiff of Raynham, Massachusetts, Deanna (Tad) Faber of Sandusky, and Daniel (Ruth) Smith of Sandusky. She is also survived by her loving sisters, Mary (Richard) Balduff and Carla (Bob) Davis; treasured grandchildren, Jamie Gonzales and Jessica (David) Miller, Kaitlyn and Sean Nasiff, Allison, Jenna, Joseph & Thomas Faber, and Madisyn Smith; great-grandchildren, Eric, Jayce, Devon, Ethan, Khali, and Aryannah; as well as many special friends and extended family members who will miss her dearly. 

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Earl F. Smith on March 1, 2002. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from  4-7 pm at the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH.  Prayers will be recited Friday morning, September 26, 2025, at 9:30 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 10 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Avenue, Sandusky, OH. Fr. Phil Feltman officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Sandusky.

Memorial contributions can be made to St Mary’s Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870 or Stein Hospice Service, Inc., 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870.

Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Dorothy's family at davidfkoch.com. 

Dorothy’s legacy is one of unwavering love, faith and kindness. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. "Well done, good and faithful servant"

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