Julie Anne Swartz, 48, of Mechanicsburg, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Born on September 18, 1976 in Harrisburg, PA, Julie was a lifelong lover of language, learning, and the arts.

She was a proud graduate of Lebanon Valley College and dedicated a significant portion of her life to pursuing knowledge and education.

She was an English teacher in the Red Land and West Perry School Districts. Her passion for teaching extended beyond the traditional classroom as Julie was also a beloved gymnastics coach at the Central Pennsylvania Academy of Gymnastics.

Julie is survived by her cherished mother, Sally M. (McElhany) Swartz, her sister, Emily Swartz Hackman, her son Austin Rowzer and his wife, Leia, and her daughter, Jessica Rowzer. Julie was preceded in death by her father, Denny E. Swartz.

From an early age, Julie was drawn to storytelling in all its forms. She was a gifted actress, poet, and writer, having studied at the Arts Magnet School (known as CASA) during her formative years.

She lived and breathed creativity; books built the walls of her life, while painting, scrapbooking, and crochet became the quiet rituals through which she reflected, dreamed, and made sense of the world. To Julie, art was anything that moved the soul—and she poured that belief into every page, every performance, and every stitch.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 12, 2025 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3700 Rutherford Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall, where friends and loved, ones are invited to gather and share memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Julie’s honor may be made to Pink Hands of Hope non-profit organization supporting women facing breast cancer. Donations can be mailed to 5325 E. Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, made by phone at 717-620-8264 or given online at https://www.pinkhandsofhope.org/.

Julie often said, “If it moves you, it’s art.” Her life was proof of that truth: filled with beauty, boldness, and a fierce devotion to those she loved.

“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”