Dorothy Gene Swindle Sahlmann was born December 17, 1938 in Marianna, Ark. Her long life ended peacefully on December 18, 2023. She was pre-deceased by her parents Eugene Edwin and Helen Williams Ford Swindle of Jefferson County, Ark.
A memorial service to honor Dorothy’s life will be held January 3, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lake Charles, La., with visitation in the church’s Hardtner Hall from 2-4 p.m. preceding the service. Her ashes will be interred in Charleston, S.C., near her husband, Dr. Frederick (Fred) Gustav Sahlmann Jr.
Those left to remember Dorothy fondly are her sister Marsha Leigh Swindle Ford Kushner of Lake Charles, La.; her niece Laura Lee Ford Moise of New Orleans, La., husband Edward Dimmick Moise, and children Madeleine Claire Moise and Lily Michelle Moise (their golden retriever Millie also loved her dearly); her nephew Mark Swindle Ford of St. Louis, Mo. and children Natalie Ann Ford and Nicholas Ryan Ford; and her brother John Edwin Swindle of Garland, Tex. and friend Donna Guidry Little of Lake Charles, La.
Dorothy was a world traveler who lived a busy life, which influenced many others.
She studied music/piano from age five and participated, as an adult, in music organizations. She taught privately and in universities including McNeese State University, University of Central Arkansas, Sam Houston State University and Arkansas State University. Her students are leading music programs at high schools and universities, performing on national and international stages, and enjoying music in their private lives.
Dorothy earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She was a life-long member of the Music Teachers National Association. During her years of active teaching, she served the Louisiana Music Teachers Association as Vice-President for Rallies and worked with many elementary and high school auditions. LMTA honored her and her husband Fred with the 2009 Outstanding Teacher Award. She was a soloist and collaborative pianist and judged at piano competitions throughout the United States. Dorothy was an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.
It is a surprise to some that Dorothy was such a jock. She loved football and basketball and enjoyed college baseball and the Astros. She had her favorites (LSU, McNeese, University of Arkansas) and could speak tirelessly about their performances.
Dorothy supported local arts organizations and served on the board of the Lake Charles Symphony. She was a member and officeholder of The Calcasieu Forum and for years offered her services with Good Shepherd’s Rosewood Ministry. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider making a donation to the Lake Charles Symphony.
As a wonderful sister, aunt, performer, teacher, friend, human being, she will be remembered and missed.
