Dortha Danner Haskins peacefully passed away in the presence of her family on February 14, 2026, at Gettysburg Hospital, less than three weeks shy of her 94th birthday. She was born March 4, 1932, in Old Hickory, TN, the second child of the late Luther Stanley and Ila Danner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Richard Haskins, brother Charles Danner, sister-in-law Mary Jane Haskins, granddaughter Cara Petrini, and son-in-law Scott Milburn.
At the age of 16, Dot was the salutatorian of the 1948 graduating class of Livingston Academy in Livingston, TN, and attended Tennessee Tech, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. After graduation, she moved with her college roommate to Huntsville, Alabama, where she found work as a librarian in the Technical Services Library at Redstone Arsenal. It was there that she met Richard Haskins, whom she married on March 6, 1954.
Dot and Richard were married for 58 years. She was her husband’s devoted caretaker during his long battle with Parkinson’s Disease and she was a deeply loving mother to their four children: David (Cynthia) Haskins, Gettysburg; Donna Milburn, Myrtle Beach, SC; Joe (Lea) Haskins, Gettysburg; and James Haskins (Mike Whistler), Rochester, NY. She was always an extraordinary advocate for her children’s sporting, musical, and theatrical endeavors. In addition to her children, she is survived by eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and her feline companion, Sarah.
Dot earned a Masters degree in Library Science from Shippensburg University in 1973, and embarked on a career as a librarian, first in the Gettysburg Area School System, at James Gettys, Franklin Township, and Meade Elementary schools, and Gettysburg Area High School, and later at the Adams County Library, where reading reviews and making book selections were her most enjoyable responsibilities. In 1988, she briefly served as the Library’s Interim Director.
She was an avid reader and instilled a love of reading in her children, grandchildren, and students whose paths she crossed during her career as a librarian.
In addition to her passion for reading, Dot loved to play bridge and was a longtime member of several local bridge clubs. She was also a longtime member of the Friday Afternoon Literary Club, along with a mystery book club. She enjoyed concerts of the Gettysburg Civic Chorus and the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra. Also a sports enthusiast, she was a loyal supporter of The Ohio State University football and basketball teams, as well as the Baltimore Orioles. The weekend before she passed away, she still completed the Goren weekly bridge quiz and watched the Super Bowl with family. She was a member of Gettysburg Presbyterian Church.
In later years, Dot particularly enjoyed her daily visits with her sons – coffee hour with David and happy hour with Joe while watching the nightly news and Jeopardy. Most of all, Dortha loved her family, was known as Mom, Grandmom, and GiGi, and will be missed by all.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, March 1, at 2:00 PM with Rev. Caleb McClure officiating at the Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dortha’s name to the Adams County Library or the Adams County SPCA. Online tributes and condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.