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Joanne M. (Swartz) Hancharick
01/09/2024

Joanne Hancharick of Bethlehem Township passed away on January 9, 2024 in her son’s home surrounded by her family and friends. She was the loving wife of the late James Hancharick with whom she shared 54 memorable years of marriage before his death on September 22, 2016.

Joanne was born on December 1, 1941 in Allentown, Pennsylvania to the late Selma (Abraham) Swartz and Amandio (Soares) Swartz.

A graduate of Liberty High School, Class of 1959, Joanne served on the school’s reunion committee for many years. She worked for the former General Acceptance Corporation (GAC) in Allentown throughout all of its acquisitions and retired, after 36 years, from Bank of America as a systems software analyst.

Joanne and her late husband were founding members of Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Emmaus. She served on the church council and the financial committee for many years and was also a lifetime member of the Ladies Organization (AWE) and the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Joanne is survived by her loving and devoted son James and her loving granddaughter Andrea who was adored and cherished by her grandparents. Joanne is also survived by sister Lorraine Krisanda of Bethlehem and brothers James Swartz of Bethlehem and Anthony (Carol) Swartz of Allentown; ten nieces, nine nephews and six Godchildren; two of her closest and dearest friends, Anne and Gladys, who she loved as sisters, and many other caring friends.

Joanne is pre-deceased by brothers Ricardo (Irma) Soares and Amandio Swartz; sister-in-law Mariann Swartz; sister-in-law Kathryn (Michael) Loupos and brother-in-law Paul (Patricia) Hancharick.

Services: calling hours will be on Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, 156 E. Main Street, Emmaus. Calling hour 10 a.m. Monday and funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Monday in the church. Interment at Garden of Peace Cemetery, Whitehall.

Contributions may be made to St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, 156 E. Main Street, Emmaus and directed to the Church Building Fund.

Arrangements by Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, Allentown.