Joan C. Carraghan

Joan C. Carraghan, 73, of Bethlehem, died peacefully and surrounded by her children, on Sunday, March 25, 2012 in her home. She was born in Bethlehem, daughter of the late William and Mary Dougherty Stahr.

Joan was a graduate of Liberty High School, Class of 1956. She was employed by Sure Fit for over twenty years, starting out as a file clerk but working her way up to manager of manufacturing by the time she retired. She most recently worked part-time as a secretary for Epworth United Methodist Church and as a crossing guard for the City of Bethlehem. For the past several years, she also served as Majority Inspector for the 14th Ward, Precinct 3 voting district in Bethlehem. She served as a den mother for the Boy Scouts of America for ten years, volunteered as a reader for the former RadPrin, sold daffodils for the American Cancer Society, was a member of the Sure Fit Relay for Life "Cover Girls" team, served as past president of the Bull and Bear Investment Club, and was a past member of the of Sure Picks Investment Club. She loved to travel, bird watch and was a voracious reader. Her spirited sense of adventure allowed her to find hidden treasures along every step of her journey here on earth and wherever the road took her.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Keith and wife, Leslie of Ocean Springs, MS, William and wife, Susan of Fountain Hill, and Donald and wife, Judy of Douglassville; daughters, Tracy Carraghan-Alston and husband, Kevan of Allentown, and Linda Carraghan of Bethlehem, with whom she resided; grandchildren, Mollie, Evan, Rachel, Zachary, James, Christian, Jordan, Brianna, and Isaiah; brothers, Robert Stahr and wife Mary Jane of Bethlehem and Richard Stahr and wife Barbara of Rochester, NY; sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Stauffer, wife of the late Dr. Harold Stauffer, of Quakertown; and sister-in-law, Patricia Stahr, wife of the late Ronald Stahr, of Bethlehem; several nieces and a nephew; her devoted dog Dugan aka Doogie and her grand'cat' Gracie. She was preceded in death by her sister, Shirley Havernic, wife of the late Joseph Havernic.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, where calling hours will be held on Saturday March 31, 2012 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A Celebration of Life will follow beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment with dove release will be in Bethlehem Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following the Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, 3893 Adler Place - Suite 170, Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529.

Joan's children would like to express sincere gratitude to everyone that has been involved with their mother's care over the past 12 years, including:

St. Luke's Hospice staff

St. Luke's Hospital staff

Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital staff

Dr. Subhash Proothi

Dr. W. Terence Reilly

Dr. Matthew Puc

Dr. Marzena Bieniek

Dr. Theodore Burger

Dr. Marie Buschi

Dr. Darius Desai

Dr. R.K. Gangji

Dr. Hugh Moulding

Dr. Camilo Alcoseba

Also, very special thanks to Joan's wonderful neighbors, Jack and Wendy Yerk, for all of their compassion, care, help and support, particularly over the past 9 months. Joan was blessed to have you in her life.