Joanne T. Conelias
Joanne T. Conelias, 81 of Bethlehem passed away on April 10, 2023 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. She was the beloved wife of Trent P. Conelias and just celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on March 9th.
Joanne was born in Allentown on August 19, 1941 daughter of the late Joseph J. and Mary (Gerencser) Groller.
Joanne graduated from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in 1961 and was a registered nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown retiring after 45 years. She was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Bethlehem and member of the Senior Citizens of the Cathedral.
Joanne was a member of Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, past member of the Booster Club of Freedom High School and past member of the board of National Alliance on Mental Illness. Joanne was a Past District Governor of the Daughters of Penelope of Power District #4. She was a member of Paeon Chapter #253 in Bethlehem.
Survivors: Husband Trent, son Dr. Trent P. Conelias and his wife Lori of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren Connor, Cade, Cole and Cynthia; brother Joseph Groller and his wife Kris of Bethlehem, sister Bonnie Affa of Colorado. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Predeceased by a son Michael Conelias in 2019 and a brother-in-law Ernie Affa.
Viewing: Monday April 17, 2023 from 6PM to 8PM, with a Trisagion Service at 8PM followed by a Daughters of Penelope Service conducted by Paeon Chapter #253 all at the Herron Funeral Home, 458 Center Street Bethlehem, PA 18018.
Funeral Service: Tuesday April 18, 2023 with a viewing from 12noon to 12:45PM, with a St. Luke’s Nurse Honor Guard Service at 12:45 PM followed by the Funeral Service at 1 PM all at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1607 West Union Blvd. Bethlehem. The funeral service will be Livestreamed using the following link www.stnicholas.org/JoanneConelias Burial to follow at Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Allentown. Arrangements are by John F. Herron Funeral Home, Bethlehem. www.herronfuneralhomes.com
Memorial Contributions: In lieu of flowers please donate to: Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association or to St. Nicholas Senior Citizens both in care of the Herron Funeral Home. 458 Center Street Bethlehem, PA 18018.
From Cousins Trian & Terri Fundudis
Dear Trent, Trent Junior, Lori, Connor, Cade, Cole and Cynthia
It was with great sadness and a heavy heart that we received Trent’s phone call on 13th April 2023 to inform us of the passing of Joanne.
We first met Joanne when she and Trent came to stay with us in Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, following the compilation of a Fundudis family tree by Cousin John Foundos. Until then we were all long-lost cousins, but the Family Tree enriched our lives, brought us all together and facilitated a much-valued close bond with our American cousins.
We have many happy and treasured memories of Joanne and Trent and their family, having spent time with them in Bethlehem. We also travelled with them to New York and the Hamptons to see Betty and Marianne and Fanny and her family and enjoyed a fun time with them in Vegas. In 2006 we all met up for a reunion in Lemnos, Greece, the ancestral home of Trent and Trian’s family, Trent’s mother being the sister of Trian’s father. Later, we all travelled to Athens. This was a very special and meaningful time as it cemented the relationship in terms of the Greek familial roots.
On a lighter note, we recall, with much amusement, telephoning Joanne in advance of staying with them in1999 to tell her that we thought we would like to visit Pocono. We were confused when she said she had never heard of it and explained that on the map it seemed very near to them. She asked us to spell the name, which Terri did, and Joanne went into shrieks of laughter at our English accents and our American mispronunciation as ‘Pocowno’!!! However, our English accents and poor American pronunciation never stood in the way of our understanding of each other! We developed a warm and meaningful relationship with our American cousins and were able to share memorable quality time with them. We last communicated with Joanne by email on 10th March 2023, her 60th Wedding Anniversary.
We feel privileged and lucky that Joanne, along with Trent, has been part of our lives. We will remember Joanne for her warm hospitality, meaningful companionship, her love of cocktails, her strength and spirit and her love of family life. Like Terri, Joanne was not born into the Greek culture, but like Terri, on marrying into the Greek culture, she fully embraced it, and she was a credit to the Fundudis and Conelias families.
We will be thinking of you all as we watch the funeral on livestream on Tuesday. Our deepest condolences to you all as her immediate family, and to Marianne and Fanny and her family who will be mourning a sister-in-law and aunt. May your memories of Joanne keep her close to you and comfort you at this very sad time.
Joanne has left a void in our lives and will be much missed. May she rest in peace.
Our love and prayers to you all. Trent, take care.
Trian and Terri