Dorothea "Sally" (Hilner) Breuninger

Dorothea H Breuninger, better known by her nickname Sally, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.  Born in Harrisburg, PA on April 22, 1923 to the Rev. Howard K. Hilner and Lena M. Hilner, she grew up in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania along with her brother Howard K. Hilner, Jr. and sister, Patricia Hilner Bigler both of whom have preceded her in death.

After graduation from Meyersdale High School in 1940, she entered West Chester State Teachers College in the fall of 1940 to graduate in January 1944 attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education.

Sally started her teaching career at Honey Brook Elementary School and transferred to the Coatesville School District shortly thereafter where she directed the Men’s and Women’s Glee Club and the Coatesville Meistersingers.  She also directed the Washingtonians, the Choraliers, and the Coatesville Hospital Nurses Chorus. 

It was moving to Coatesville that allowed Sally to meet the love of her life, Fred Breuninger, at Sante’s Drug Store. They fell in love immediately and were married on December 6, 1947. Together they had four sons, Frank Jr. (Chip), David, Robert (Bob) and James (Jamie). In addition to their sons, Sally is survived by her daughters-in-law Maureen (Chip), Kim (Bob) and Julie (Jamie) and grandmother to Julie Regenski and her husband Joe Regenski, Kathleen Morris and her husband Erik Morris, Shari McDermott and her husband Alex McDermott, Emily Breuninger, Andrew Breuninger and his wife Mara, and Colleen Kliethermes and her husband Josh.  She was preceded in death by grandson, Christopher Breuninger.  She is also survived by great grandchildren, Ryan Regenski, Landon Regenski, Elin Regenski, Brady Morris, Laney Morris, Avery and Emerson McDermott.

In 1961, Sally joined Fred in their family real estate and insurance business and opened their second office in Parkesburg in 1963.  She and Fred retired from F. Frederick Breuninger & Son Real Estate and Insurance in 1993 and split their time between their home in Coatesville and their second home in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Sally was a member of the Coatesville Jr. and Sr. Century Club and a board member of Coatesville Visiting Nurses Association.  She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where she served in various capacities including Senior Choir Director, Church Council President and representative to the Synod Music and Worship Committee.

An avid golfer and bridge player, she was a member of the Coatesville Country Club, Wachesaw Plantation, Murrells Inlet, SC, Philadelphia Women’s Golf Association, the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Golf Association and the Pennsylvania Women’s Golf Association. Later in life she turned her competitive skills to the game of bridge where she played with friends at the Coatesville Country Club, Wachesaw Plantation and the Villages at Hillview.

A Memorial Service for Sally will be held Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 107 South 17th Avenue, Coatesville, Pa 19320 at 11:00 am with visitation hours beginning at 9:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, Sally requested voluntary donations be made in her memory to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

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