Geraldine M. Hartenstine Ward

March 10, 1929 - March 6, 2022

Geraldine M. “Jill” Cole Hartenstine Ward, 92, of Bethlehem, died on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Just 4 days short of her 93rd birthday. She was born in Allentown on March 10, 1929; daughter of the late William B. Cole and Helen I. (Rothenberger) Cole. Was the wife of the late Charles R. Ward for whom she shared 42 years of marriage. Jill will be lovingly remembered for her outgoing personality, selflessness, and kindness to others. She was a social butterfly and had a great gift of making friends with those she met. This was most evident when she was working as a waitress at the Casa Del Blu where she first met Charles, the Maples Restaurant, Hess’s Patio, the Bethlehem Steel, or with the children in the lunchroom at Broughal Middle School. Jill’s kindness also shined bright as a volunteer for the Trinity Episcopal Church soup kitchen, 27 years at St. Luke’s Hospital, 20 years at Musikfest, and Special Olympics. She also loved to dance and perform with the Lehigh Valley Cloggers. She will Always be remembered for her hospitality, generosity, happy crying, tailgating for Penn State and the Chicago Bears football games, playing her special happy birthday record, and sending multiple Hallmark cards. Received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the President of the United States, along with the 2018 Northampton County Outstanding Senior Award. Jill will be dearly missed by her sons, William Hartenstine (Niki) of Schnecksville; Michael Hartenstine (Donna) Lake Bluff IL.; and Bruce Ward (Kim) Bethlehem; as well as her siblings, Jean Litzenberger; Albert, Charles, Raymond, Richard, and Donald Cole; grandchildren, Tracy, Lori, Jill, Michael, Beau, Adrienne, Alyssa; and great grandchildren, Kennedy, Olivia, David, Luke, Brody. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Ward; brother Thomas Cole, grandson, Michael Ward; son, Dennis Ward, and first husband Charles H. Hartenstine. And a special thank you to the many good friends, and caretakers that were so good to her at Traditions of Hanover, and St. Luke’s Hospital. The family will receive friends on Saturday March 12th from 10am-1130am at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 followed by a service in the funeral home at 11:30am. Interment will be held at Holy Saviour Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice in honor of Jill.