Audrey Dewart

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our mother, Audrey Dewart, in the early morning hours of September 15, 2025. However, with great joy we celebrate her entry into the Lord's presence and her re-uniting with departed family members. Mom was born to Edward and Bertha Butcosk outside of Sunbury on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1929. She attended the one-room Plum Creek School and later graduated from Sunbury High School in 1946. After working for several years, she married Edgar Brouse of Northumberland. Within several months, Mom was a young widow. Eddie had given his life during the Korean conflict. After a period of mourning, Mom determined to become a nurse. She applied to the nursing program at Geisinger Hospital. Her acceptance was not assured as they had never admitted a "married woman." Mom was accepted, graduated with honors in 1954, and began her nursing career. Before graduation from nursing school, Eddie's parents arranged for Mom and 2nd Lieutenant Lewis Dewart, Eddie's cousin, to go on a blind date. Within several years Audrey and Lewis had married. Three children and three grandsons followed, with one Dewart great-grandson on the way. Though she did not pursue nursing as a life-long career, Mom did follow her passion for helping others. She and Dad supported the Box Project for many years during which they sponsored a family in the Mississippi Delta region. Additionally, Mom and Dad provided much needed supplies to an Anglican mission in Liberia, west Africa. Mom engaged in fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, volunteered for the Salvation Army, served on the first Board of Directors at Sunbury's Haven Ministry, and volunteered at many Red Cross Blood Banks. Audrey was predeceased by her husband, Lewis Dewart, in 2021; grandson Wesley Dewart in 1990; and her parents. She is survived by her children Bill (Bonnie) Dewart, Melissa (Eric) Portzline, and Krista (Donald) Summers; and grandsons Trevor (Nicole) Dewart and Dakota (Kierra) Portzline. Her great-grandson's birth (Trevor/Nicole) is expected in February 2026. The family thanks her wonderful and loving caregivers at Nottingham Village, as well as Wellspan and Geisinger hospices. We have grown close to many and consider them to be like family. Services will be held at St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 22 N. Front St., Sunbury, PA on Monday, September 22 at 11 am. Should you wish to make a contribution to honor our mother's memory, please consider St. Matthew Episcopal Church's Discretionary Fund.

Interment will follow in Pomfret Manor Cemetery, Sunbury.

Arrangements are by the Zweier Funeral Home, 157 Chestnut Street, Sunbury.