Dorothy "DJ" Landis

Dorothy Jean “DJ” Landis, 88, of New Cumberland, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, March 9, 2024 at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Clarence and Esther (Conrad) Hartman.

DJ graduated from Henry C. Conrad High School in Wilmington, Delaware, and went on to the College of Wooster in Ohio and Millersville State Teachers College, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She taught second and third grade in the West Shore School District for 31 years, beginning at Rossmoyne Elementary before moving on to Lower Allen Elementary. DJ also spent 10 years working as a District Aide for PA State Representative Jerry Nailor.

DJ married her husband, Dick, in 1961. In 1986 the couple decided to open their home to German exchange students. One by one, each of these 24 young men came as a stranger and left one year later as a close member of the family. Here are their names in chronological order: Markus Hauck, Phillip Hellwege, Johannes Ranke, Nils Bindeballe, Alexander von Quast, Burkard Zenglein, Stephan Zakowicz, Karsten Füllhaase, Daniel de Bruycker, Florian Foucher, Benjamin Pohl, Max Goebel, Reinhard Kruse, Jan Honert, Tobias Heike, Felix Merz, Alin Oprea, Frank Merz, Marian Hinnerich, Frederik Tietz, Vincent Dreher, Moritz Burgard, Felix Lorenzet, Adrian Klein.

Dick passed away in 2012 after more than 50 years of marriage. DJ is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Ann Morey, of Sterling, Virginia.

DJ was a member of the Borough Council for ten years before being elected Mayor of New Cumberland for five consecutive terms. She also served on the boards of many local organizations, often as president. Some of these include the New Cumberland Business and Professional Group, the Downtown Development Committee, the Olde Towne Association, the Apple Festival, the Women’s Club, the Friends of the Town Band, the West Shore Senior Center, and the Friends of the New Cumberland Library. Although she did not mind being in the spotlight, her focus was always on providing help where it was needed, for example sewing costumes for the musical at Cedar Cliff High School. DJ became a mentor to many other influential individuals in the area, especially women.

She enjoyed attending local theater performances and concerts at the Harrisburg Symphony with Dick, cross-stitching, reading, and watching classic movies or daytime television soaps. Above all, DJ was a people person. She would strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone and make friends wherever she went. She loved to party, and for many years she and Dick would have martinis every night before dinner.

Visitation with friends and family will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 12:30 pm until a public memorial service begins at 2 pm at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camp Hill. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed at gracecamphill.org. Inurnment will be private and held at a later date in Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in DJ’s name to the Friends of the New Cumberland Library. Checks may be made out to “Friends of the New Cumberland Library” and mailed to 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, PA 17070. Feel free to contact them with any questions at newcumberlandfriends@gmail.com.