Dorothy "Dotti" H. Swap

Dorothy “Dotti” Swap, 89, of Southington, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 2nd, 2017 at Apple Rehab Saybrook.

Born in Haverhill, MA on November 1, 1927, she was one of three children to the late Oleaf Hammer and Mildred Reagan Hammer.  She attended local schools, graduating in 1945 from Haverhill High School and enjoyed long summer days with family and friends on Plum Island’s beaches. Soon after, she was encouraged by a friend to write to a young West Newbury pilot serving in Central Europe at the close of WWII. This wartime pen pal quickly became the love of her life and in the spring of 1947 Dorothy (Hammer) and Floyd W. Swap were married. They shared a wonderful 66 years of marriage together while raising two devoted sons. 

True New Englanders, Dorothy and Floyd traveled and lived along the east coast from Florida to Delaware to New Hampshire before finally settling in Southington, Connecticut. Over the years she worked in various occupations, the local Marshalls being her favorite by far.  She loved spending summers with Floyd and their dog Annie in their trailer in Seabrook, NH and looked forward to visiting with her cousins (truly like sisters) who lived close by in neighboring Massachussetts.  And as much as Dotti loved to visit and talk endlessly with relatives, neighbors and everyone she met, if a dog were nearby it would get her full attention first. 

Dotti was incredibly proud of her two sons and especially enjoyed watching her two grandchildren, Sadie and Sam, play on their volleyball and baseball teams.  And she never missed an opportunity to cheer on the UCONN women’s basketball team.  A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she led a full and happy life and will be greatly missed, leaving behind many cherished memories.

Dorothy Swap, of Southington, leaves her sons Stephen Swap of Stamford, CT, and Peter and his wife Stephanie, along with grandchildren Sadie and Sam of Ivoryton, CT and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Floyd W. Swap of Southington, her parents, and her brothers Edward Hammer and Robert Hammer.

Dorothy’s family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Apple Rehab Saybrook for the love and compassionate care shown to her during her time there.

Family and friends will gather in celebration of Dotti’s life on Sunday, April 9th from 1-3 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad St, Plainville. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family.  

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