Obituaries

Henrietta A. “Nanny” Nausbaum, 94, of Palmer Township, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 23, 2023 in St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born August 15, 1929 in Butztown, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Arline (Fritchman) Staats. She was the loving wife of the late Robert L. Nausbaum to whom she was married for 61 years until his passing in 2010. Her family takes great comfort in knowing they are together again. Henrietta grew up in Butztown, then moved to Wilson Borough where she graduated from Wilson High School in 1947. After marrying Bob, they moved to Palmer Township where she lived for the rest of her life. She worked for the Dixie Cup in Wilson Borough and Bon-Ton and Hess’s department stores in the Palmer Mall. She was mostly a homemaker, devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to her family. She was a member of Palmer Moravian Church, Eastern Star Chapter 214, the Cedarettes, and the Ambassador Club. She had a great group of friends from Wilson High School, Eastern Star, and Cedarettes with whom she enjoyed many picnics, vacations, conventions, and get togethers.

Surviving are a daughter, Lynn R. Rich and her husband, Jim of Bethlehem Township; two sons, Lee R. Nausbaum of California and Robert H. Nausbaum with whom she resided; four grandchildren, Laura Collins, Patrick Collins and his wife, Michelle, James Rich, Jr., and Christian Rich and his wife, Vianka; and two great grandsons, Cole Patrick Collins and Elias Rich who brought her so much joy these past few months. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothea Staats.

Services will be private. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, PA 18045 or Muscular Dystrophy Association, www.mda.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Christie Sharita Lightner, 50, of Wilson Borough, died Thursday, December 21, 2023 in her home. Born November 6, 1973 in Plainfield, NJ, she was the daughter of the late William McKinley Lightner and Victoria Elizabeth (Kesely) Lightner. She was a secretary in the Phillipsburg School District, a telephone operator for Bell Atlantic, and a tech aide at Foster Wheeler. Christie was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church parish.

Surviving are a sister, Robin M. Barnes with whom she resided; her life partner, George E. Rupple; and two uncles, Joseph Kesely of North Carolina and Michael Kesely of Phillipsburg.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Memorial contributions may be made to NAMI Lehigh Valley, www.nami-lv.org or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Isabelle Mae Parr, 98 of Easton, PA passed away Thursday, December 14, 2023 at New Eastwood Health and Rehab Center. Born August 24, 1925 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late Christian and Elizabeth (Ricketts) Schlecht. Her husband Donald E. Parr died July 8, 1983. She retired from Acme Market after 30 years, then worked part-time for the Eric Theater and in the cafeteria at Tracy Elementary and Easton High School. Isabelle loved to dance, bake, crochet, stained glasswork and ceramics.

She is survived by her children: James Schultz (Mary) of Townsend, DE, Donald Parr, Jr. (Gina) of Carlsbad, CA, Darlene Haffner (Frank) of Brodheadsville, PA, Dana Parr (Kathy) of Williams Twp., PA, Denise Parr of Palmer Twp.; a brother: Harold Schlecht; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, 4 brothers, 2 sisters and a granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held 4 PM Thursday (Dec. 21) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 3 to 4 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jeff Dailey Foundation at www.doitfordailey.com. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lois D. Williams, 91, of Bethlehem, died Saturday, December 9, 2023 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born March 28, 1932 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Lewis J. and Florence T. (Blake) Brown. She was a graduate of Easton High School and Easton Hospital School of Nursing. Lois served in the US Air Force and took her basic training at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. She graduated as a flight nurse in 1957 and was later promoted to 1st Lieutenant stationed at Mitchel Air Force Base, Long Island, New York. She was a nurse at Cedar Crest Hospital and a member of First Baptist Church, Bethlehem and Marine Corps League, Northampton County Detachment #298.

Surviving are three grandchildren, Blake, Wendy, and Ashleigh; and a sister, Gloria L. Riegel. She was predeceased by her children, Tracy A. Dennis and Kevin A. Williams.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Marine Corps League, Detachment #298, 1621 Lehigh St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Janet M. Bronico, 78, of Moore Township, formerly of Palmer Township, died Friday, December 8, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born October 9, 1945 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Lester E. “Pete” and Dorothy J. (Madison) Pfeffer. She and her husband, John W. Bronico, were married 58 years. Janet graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1963 and was a pharmacy technician for C R Pharmacy, Palmer Township. She was a member of Living Hope Lighthouse, Palmerton and a former member of Middlecreek Christian Church, Kresgeville, Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church, Bethlehem Township, and First Evangelical Congregational Church, Easton.

Surviving with her husband, John, are her children, Mary Katherine Barnhardt and her husband, Thomas of Arlington, TX, Barbara A. Mathis and her husband, Jim of Palmer Township, Brian J. Bronico and his wife, Lezlie of North Richland Hills, TX, and Chris D. Bronico of Palmerton; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Nancy J. Pfeffer and a granddaughter.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 14, 2023 in Living Hope Lighthouse, 705 Third St., Palmerton. A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Victoria “Vicky” Rosa, 87, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born and raised in Rochester, NY. In 1960 she married her sweetheart Victor “Bud” Rosa and moved into their new home in Hazlet, NJ where they raised their five children. She worked as a customer service representative for Comcast Cable in the Hazlet office for 16 years retiring in 1998. She was a parishioner at St. Benedict Church, Holmdel, NJ since 1960 where she was involved in many activities. Her favorite was singing at Mass with the Folk Group.

She enjoyed being a member of Sweet Adelines and The Red Hat Society. Vicky volunteered for the Boy and Girls Scouts of Monmouth County and the Hazlet Youth and Athletic League. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Victor “Bud” in 2000; parents Wady and Frances Sarkis; sisters, Shirley Sarkis and Elizabeth Shuhda; brothers, Lee and Joseph Sarkis. She is survived by her five adoring children Catherine (Philip) Vitale, Victor Rosa, James (Deborah) Rosa, Timothy (Gina) Rosa, and Robert Rosa; eleven beautiful grandchildren, Philip (Jordan) and Jennifer Vitale, Victor and Nicole Rosa, Stephanie (Mitchell) Cummings, Tara, Daniel, Brianna Rosa, Amanda, Alexa, Isabella Rosa; and two great grandchildren Charlotte and Carter Cummings; brothers Fred Sarkis, James (Jeannie) Sarkis, and Kenneth (Thomas) Sarkis; sisters Ann Nealon and Deanna O’Connell; and many devoted nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

Forgoing a traditional wake, Vicky’s wishes were for services to be private. She will never be replaced but will live always in the countless memories she left with us. Vicky had the kindest heart and a gentle soul for every person with whom she encountered. Everyone enjoyed her hospitality, amazing humor, and her devotion to her family, friends, and neighbors. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made the American Heart Association, www.heart.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.