Obituary of Lesley Swords Orth

Lesley Swords Orth passed away peacefully on May 18, 2023.

Born in Peoria, Illinois on January 18, 1943, Lesley was the middle child of Earl (Buck) Ira Swords and Miriam Fried Swords.  She attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Upon graduating from Stanford in 1965, Lesley married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Harald Orth. After moving to Reston, Virginia, Lesley devoted much of her children’s early lives to providing a loving home for the entire family. Lesley led a dedicated life of service, from serving as Student Body President at Richwoods High School (Peoria); homemaker, PTA President at her children’s schools, den mother for Cub Scouts, aide at Herndon High School’s Career Center, President of Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help (FISH), and a member of the Board of Directors for Reston Interfaith (Cornerstones). While President at Richwoods, she spearheaded fundraising to build a school swimming pool. Lesley took immense pride in having the time and opportunity to volunteer for organizations she held close to her heart, but she always claimed her greatest achievement was being a mom and homemaker. Shortly after her children moved off to college, Lesley continued her involvement with Fairfax County schools, providing administrative assistance at Forest Edge, Floris, and Centreville Elementary Schools until her retirement. In her free time, Lesley was often seen swimming endless laps at the Reston (Hidden Creek) Country Club, Reston Community Center, and YMCA. She enjoyed a home always present with dogs. Since the early 2000s, Lesley dedicated much of her time to fostering and rescuing dogs through the Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART).

Lesley is survived by Dick and their two children and their spouses, Janet (Allen) Braden and Jared (Jennifer) Orth, her brother, Scott, and her grandchildren, Owen and Charlotte (Williams).  Lesley is predeceased by her father, mother, and brother, Stephen. 

A special thank you to Lesley’s loving neighbors who were always there for her at a moment’s notice.

A Lutheran service will be held on May 31, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1133 Reston Avenue, Herndon, VA.  Lesley’s final remains will be honored in her family’s homes until she is reunited with her husband.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Homeless Animals Rescue Team (https://hart90.org/HowToHelp/Donate.aspx) and Cornerstones (https://www.cornerstonesva.org/ways-to-give/).  Memories may be posted at www.adamsgreen.com