Shirley Ann (Motiska) Palenchar

March 23, 1930 - June 27, 2021

Shirley Ann (Motiska) Palenchar, 91, died on June 27, 2021, at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. She shared 67 years of marriage with William “Star” Palenchar before his passing in 2017. Shirley was born on March 23, 1930, in Dupont, PA, to Stephen and Anna (Noone) Motiska. She moved to Bethlehem in 1942, graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1947, and Bethlehem Business College. She married Bill on July 2, 1949. Shirley liked: afghans, beauty parlors, books, casino trips, Christmas, collecting plates, figurines, and other beautiful items, a good Manhattan at the original Minsi Trail Inn, and the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Shirley was preceded in death by her siblings Stephen (Eleanor) Motiska, Eugene Motiska, and Lois (Richard) Stefanik. She is survived by her loving family. Children: Judy and husband Joe Kelleman, Gary Palenchar, Cindy and husband Keith Jones, all of Bethlehem. Six grandchildren: Amy Kelleman, Jim (Deb) Kelleman, Kate (Jerome) Paul, and Steven, Zachary, and Benjamin Jones. Five great-grandchildren: Jacob Gould, Andrew and Max Kelleman, and Lydia and Violet Paul. A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 730 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, from 9:00am until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in the church. Interment will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery, 2575 Linden Street, Bethlehem. Memorial gifts may be made to Holy Family Manor, 1200 Spring Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 Arrangements are under the care of Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem.