Penelope L. "Penny" Swank, 79, of Coatesville, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, November 2, 2026 at the Exton Post Acute Skilled Nursing Facility in Exton, PA. She was the beloved wife Paul A. Swank, Jr. with whom she shared 48 years of marriage. Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Frank Newlin and Jean Bonsall Newlin.

Penny was an area resident all her life and a 1965 graduate of the former H. Scott High School in Coatesville. After graduation, she continued her education receiving a bachelor's degree in education at the West Chester University. She then went on to be employed, for over 30 years, with the Coatesville Area School District. She spent a majority of her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at the former Carl O. Benner Elementary School in Coatesville.

Penny was a 60-year member of the Doe Run Presbyterian Church where she held many offices over the years. Penny was the charter president and 50-year member of her local Delta Kappa Gamma chapter. Delta Kappa Gamma is an international professional society for women educators. Penny was a 30-year member of the Coatesville Area Lions Club serving as club president three times. Additionally, Penny spent many years volunteering with Meals on Wheels, volunteering on election day for Valley Township, and supporting various organizations in the Coatesville area.

Penny is survived, in addition to her husband, by her daughter (Kathryn J. Henson) her son-in-law (John Eric Henson) her daughter-in-law (Jovie Swank), three grandchildren (Naomi, Adam and JP) and one brother (Robert Newlin). She was preceded in death by her stepson (Stephen M. Swank).

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Thursday evening, November 12, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main St. Parkesburg, PA. 

Services will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 12:00 noon at the Doe Run Presbyterian Church,
3104 Doe Run Church Rd. Coatesville, PA 19320 with visitation at the church from 10:30 AM to the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Doe Run Presbyterian Church, 3104 Doe Run Church Rd. Coatesville, PA 19320 or the American Cancer Society. 

To make a donation to Doe Run please click HERE. 

To make a donation to the American Cancer Society please click HERE.