Joan McEnrue

Joan H. McEnrue, 90, of Hanover Township, peacefully passed away on April 23, 2024, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Scranton on April 11, 1934, the daughter of the late James and Bridget (Farrell) Hughes. Joan was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, Martin A. McEnrue II.

Joan will be lovingly remembered as a selfless woman, who personified happiness, kindness, and consideration. She was pure joy. Joan dedicated her life to serving others and she put her heart and soul into making meaningful connections with people. She had magnificent common sense and people skills which she utilized to nurture lasting relationships with her family and friends.

Joan had a special place in her heart for animals, especially her loving dog, Carley, who was lying beside her when she passed. She also found great joy in gardening and decorating gorgeous wedding cakes for many family members and friends.

Music was very important to Joan. She had a beautiful voice and used her talent of singing throughout her life. While attending Kingston High School, Joan was a member of the choir and was offered a full music scholarship. Around the same time, while attending choir practice she was introduced to her future husband, Martin. The two shared this love of music, even recording music together. Joan was the first female singer in the VFW chorus, the largest in the country. She was a member of the Notre Dame of Bethlehem Resurrection and Adult Choirs for over 40 years.

Joan was proud to serve as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Nutrition Education Advisor for Penn State University Cooperative Extension and Outreach for 36 years. She earned recognition with a Regional Award in 2007. Joan was instrumental in establishing one of the first Super Cupboards in the state of PA and helped develop a curriculum used for others to follow. She collaborated with and conducted programs with many Lehigh County agencies such as School District Family Centers, Girls and Boys Clubs, Visiting Nurses, Sixth Street Shelter, Pathways, Head Start, 4-H, and the Program for Woman and Families.

Above all, Joan was a wonderful mother and doting grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her daughters, Faith Ann Ryan, Mary B. Sawyer and husband, Robert, and Erin Peapos and husband, Michael; sons, Martin McEnrue, III and wife, Bridget, and James McEnrue; son-in-law, Thomas Marchak and wife, Melanie; 22 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, sister, Mary Ann Polacky, sister-in-law, Shirley Hughes and many nieces and nephews.

Joan was predeceased by her daughter, Martina Marchak, grandson, John Sawyer, son-in-law, Dr. John J. Ryan, Jr., and brother James Hughes.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Another visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18018, with Mass of Christian Burial to immediately follow at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be held at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in remembrance of Joan to Peaceable Kingdom, 1049 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall, PA 18052 or Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.

Condolences may be offered at www.connellfuneral.com.

The family would like to thank Family Pillars Hospice for their compassionate care to Joan during her final stages.