Dorothy (Newman) Reichley

Dorothy Reichley

Selinsgrove, PA

Dorothy “Dottie” Newman Reichley, of Selinsgrove, left this world peacefully on June 5, 2024, to join those who made it to heaven before her.  She was born August 4, 1937, the daughter of the late Margaret (Gates) and Elmer Newman. Dottie was married for 40 years to John Reichley. They were separated by his death in 2004.

Dottie graduated from Selinsgrove High School in 1954. In the early 1960s, she was the secretary to Dr. Weber, the president of Susquehanna University and, several years later, she was the secretary to the principal at Lewisburg High School. Dottie was a Mary Kay Consultant for many years, and she credits those products with her youthful appearance when she was more than 80 years young. She asked us to tell you she used them to the end.

The job she was destined to hold for nearly 20 years was as a sales associate at Benjamin T. Moyer Furniture. Dottie had a talent for decorating and many shoppers ordered furniture with confidence after she offered advice and encouragement.

Dottie was an expert seamstress, a fabulous cook, a skilled baker, an avid reader and a talented pianist. At her home, there was always enough food to serve whoever happened to be joining the table. And, when she took food to a family picnic, there were never anything left to bring home.

For more than 25 years, she and John traveled the country in their Airstream with an occasional detour through Canada. To visit Hawaii, the required plane trip was not her favorite way to travel. However, until the very last breath she took, Myrtle Beach was her favorite vacation destination.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, Danny, and her nephew, Bart.  And, recently, she said goodbye to Charlie the Cat, who was her companion for 18 years.

Dottie is survived by her son David Longacre, Sunbury; three daughters-by-marraiage, Jean (and Rich) Knouse, Danville, Joan Klinger, Danville, and Judy (and Joe) Helcoski, Moosic; her five grandchildren: Clinton (and Amy) Longacre, Selinsgrove; Heather (and Laurence) Arnold, Rockville, MD, Andy (and Gretchen) Knouse, Riverside and Courtney and Jillian Helcoski, Moosic.  She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Allison, Aleah and Emily Longacre, Selinsgrove, Max Knouse, Riverside and Nadia and Justin Arnold, Rockville, MD.

Dottie’s sister, Emma Jean Newman (and Bryon Bernhard) of Lewes, Delaware also survives.

Friends are invited to join the family at Winfield Baptist Church, Winfield on Wednesday, June 12 at 4 p.m. for a time of visitation. The funeral will begin at 5 p.m. with the Reverend Corey Mitchell presiding. Her final resting wishes will be entrusted to            the family.

Flowers will be provided by the family. If you would like to honor Dottie’s memory with a contribution to the ASPCA, 1467 Bloom Road, Danville, PA 17821, Hospice of Evangelical, 235 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837, or to an organization of the donor’s choice.