Frances T. Dreisbach

Frances T. Dreisbach, 99 , of Hanover Township, formerly of Williams Township, died September 19. She was the daughter of the late Alexander V. and Marie (Nofer) Tisdale. Born September 13, 1924, she graduated from Pottstown High School and earned degrees from Ursinus College and Bryn Mawr College as well as a certificate in geriatric social work from Yeshiva University. She was associate professor of social work at Kutztown University. After she retired, she taught English for a year at a university in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.

Her love of reading led her to help inaugurate a book fair at Williams Township Elementary School through the PTA. Reading about far away places encouraged her to travel later in life. She loved traveling (five continents, 45 countries) and gardening. Earlier in family life, she hosted many persons from overseas.

She was a member of the Lehigh Valley Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) where she was active on many local and regional committees supporting peace and aging issues. She also served on the board of trustees at George School, Newtown.

Fran promoted peace through LEPOCO activities and participated in the annual Christmas Peace Pilgrimage between Nazareth and Bethlehem from its inception. She helped to found a mental health association and services for abused women and men.

She was a 4-H club volunteer and served as treasurer on the Northampton County 4-H Development Board at the time that the 4-H Center in Bushkill Township was purchased.

She is survived by her four daughters Liesel (Susan) and husband Roger Dreisbach-Williams, Williams Township; Christine and husband William Murray, Bethlehem; Greta Tisdale, Williams Township; Rachel and husband Robert Wissner, Baton Rouge, LA; and five grandchildren. Her older sisters, Laura Hawkins and Ann Bradbury; her companion, Tom Lloyd; and her former husband, Lewis Dreisbach, preceded her in death.

A Memorial Meeting for worship will be held Saturday, October 21, at the Lehigh Valley Meeting of Religious Society of Friends, 4116 Bath Pike, Bethlehem. Visitation is at 1 pm followed by a memorial meeting for worship at 2 pm.

Contributions in Fran’s memory may be made to Mary Meuser Memorial Library, 1803 Northampton St., Easton, to the public library of your choice, or to the Lehigh Valley Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.