Dorothy Swanson Haney Jennings

Sept. 14, 1926 - Nov. 28, 2018

ELKHART, IN - Dorothy Haney Jennings, 92, went into God's loving arms on November 28, 2018. The Mishawaka native was born on September 14, 1926 to Bertha Pearl Swanson. In 1948, Dorothy married Verlin Haney and he preceded her in death in 1968. In 1973, Dorothy married Frank Jennings and he survives. Dorothy was a member of East United Methodist Church of Mishawaka, Women in Construction, and was a proud graduate of John Adams High School's Class of 1944. In her teens and early 20's, she liked to play basketball and spend summers at Magician Lake and Juday Creek. For nearly 40 years, Dorothy worked as an office manager and co-owner of Ideal Consolidated, Inc. in South Bend, Indiana before her retirement. (And during school breaks, she was way ahead of her time with “Take your daughter to work day.”)

She enjoyed family activities including traveling, playing cards and board games - especially Scrabble, and spending time on Donnell Lake where her adventurous spirit led her to try water skiing, because her teenage children were on the lake skiing (some bruising added as a memento of this adventure). Friends of Dorothy's children would often say she was the “fun mom” of the neighborhood, even when she was reprimanding them. Dorothy also loved attending Notre Dame football and basketball games, Broadway shows, movies, and taking trips on the South Shore at Christmastime to Chicago's Marshall Fields to see the beautiful window displays and have lunch in The Walnut Room. Dorothy will be remembered fondly for many things - being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to all including her many “grand dogs” as she called them. She was always taking photos of family and usually had an envelope in her purse to share photos with others. Her positive attitude got her through many trials including the loss of a husband and son in 1968, surviving a car collision with a train, cancer, and a heart attack with double bypass surgery. She had a wonderful sense of humor - something still intact in her final days.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Hubbard Hill, Dorothy's home for almost five years, Dr. Carolyn Hudson, M.D., and a private care aide, Barbara Baney. A very special thanks to Dorothy's stepdaughter, Elizabeth Hess, for her compassion, nursing skills, and knowledge needed navigating paperwork. Dorothy is survived by her husband of 45 years, Frank; her children, Joel (Debbie) Haney of Granger, Linda Haney, and Shelley Haney both of McCordsville, IN; grandchildren, Christopher Haney of Austin, TX and Megan (Jeff) Gouker of Granger; great-grandchild, Mila Gouker of Granger; and her stepchildren, Charles (Susan) Jennings of Carmel, IN, William (Anne) Jennings of Buckeye, AZ, Michael (Debbie) Jennings of Mishawaka, and Elizabeth (Richard) Hess of Middlebury. She was preceded in death by her son Randolph in 1968. In addition to her biological grandchildren and only great-grandchild, she adored her many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sat., Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at Hubbard Hill Chapel, Elkhart, IN. Dorothy was very philanthropic, giving to multiple charities throughout the years. Dorothy and her family would appreciate your continuing with her philanthropic ways, and in lieu of flowers or plants, make a donation to one or both of the following: Hubbard Hill Memory Care Unit, 28070 C.R. 24 West, Elkhart, IN 46517 or Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

12/03/2018 JFC