Margo Ellen Hanily

Margo E. Hanily, 65, of Bethlehem, died August 4th, 2009 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born in New York City in 1944, her family moved to Bethlehem in 1947. She was the beloved daughter of the late Anne McNulty Hanily and the late George J. Hanily.

Margo's lifelong passion was dedicating herself to the service of others. She was a graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School and the Rockland County Community College in New York where she received her certification as a Licensed Medical Records Administrator. She spent her entire professional career working in the health care industry, retiring as the director of medical records at E.J. Noble Hospital in Gouveneur, NY. During her lifetime, she also served as the volunteer girls' CYO basketball coach/mentor at Holy Infancy and Notre Dame of Bethlehem grammar schools.

She was known as an avid volunteer, reader and was a helpful presence to all she encountered. She served her church as a Eucharistic minister and in her life worked in pastoral care as a chaplain at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY. Margo was the embodiment of a giver, always prioritizing other's wishes above her own. Her Thanksgiving gravy recipe was simply legendary and she was treasured as the Hanily-Elek-Oberholzer family's resident memory-keeper and storyteller.

Margo is survived far and wide by legions of family and friends who loved her dearly, including: Sisters, Barbara H. Oberholzer, wife of David J. Oberholzer, and Kathleen Elek, wife of Stephen K. Elek, of Bethlehem. Her brother, George B. Hanily, predeceased her. She is also survived by nieces Ann O. Coffey of Ardmore, PA, Katherine E. Chouteau of Richmond, CA, Jennifer Elek of Seattle, WA, and Cristina Hanily of Panama City, Panama, as well as nephews Michael Oberholzer of Bethlehem, Joseph D. Oberholzer of York, PA, David J. Oberholzer Jr. of Brookeville, MD, George R. Hanily of Panama City, Panama, 18 grand nieces and nephews and many cherished friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Margo's name to Seton Academy, 623 6th Avenue, Bethlehem, PA, 18018. Visiting hours will be held from 10:00 a.m.?11:15 a.m. Saturday, August 8th at Connell Funeral Home, 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, followed by services at 11:15 a.m. at the same location. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. at St. Simon and Jude Church, 730 West Broad Street, Bethlehem.