Sharon Lee Smetzer, 67, of Hellertown, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 at Saucon Valley Manor, Hellertown, after her battle with cancer since 2002.
Sharon was born in Doylestown, the daughter of Louise (Seifert) Smetzer and the late Paul L. Smetzer. A graduate of Palisades High School (1965) and of Allentown Hospital School of Nursing (1968), Sharon later received her BSN degree from Cedar Crest College in 1991 (summa cum laude) and her MS degree from University of St. Francis, Joliet, Ill. (1995). Sharon was employed for 32 years at the former Allentown Hospital (Lehigh Valley Hospital) and was the Head Nurse of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 26 years. She participated in the original development of this first NICU in the Lehigh Valley in 1980 at the former Allentown Hospital (at 17th and Chew streets), and also in the creation and move of this unit in 2000 to its current location at LVH (Cedar Crest). Sharon retired in January 2013 from Theorem Clinical Research (formerly Omnicare Clinical Research) in King of Prussia, where she had been employed since January 2002. Sharon loved sports and was an avid spectator at actual and televised tennis and golf events, and followed her beloved Phillies with frequent spring training trips to Clearwater. She was also a 28-year partial season ticket holder. Her greatest thrill was attending the 1980 winning World Series game. Sharon also loved photography and traveled through the U.S., Canada, Europe and Scandinavia, and she made multiple trips to visit her Irish pen pal. Her latest delight was a 2010 Alaskan cruise with her beloved friend, Faith. Musikfest was a must every summer, and she volunteered for several years at her favorite venue, Liederplatz. She also volunteered for the Literacy Center. Since 2001, Sharon was active in the Liberty Bell Wanderers walking club. This group was an inspiration and support to her through her later life’s challenges with cancer, and provided her with multiple opportunities to see the U.S. and Canada on foot. She climbed Crazy Horse in South Dakota, walked across the Mackinac Bridge and encircled Stone Mountain in Georgia and Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, among other fascinating journeys. Sharon also created a special walking event for the American Volkssport Association, which provided the challenge to complete 12 walks featuring covered bridges in the U.S. and Canada. She was also the contact person for a beautiful historic walk through Bethlehem. In addition to being thankful for the support provided to her from family, neighbors, friends, research and nursing colleagues, walking friends, and her nursing/medical team, Sharon was also most thankful for the spiritual support and comfort received from Pastor Greg Stenson and members of the Springfield Mennonite Church. Sharon requested that all who knew her enjoy a relaxing walk, and she will be with them in spirit.
SURVIVORS
In addition to her mother, Sharon is survived by a brother: Jay R. Smetzer and his wife Rosemary of Lenhartsville.
SERVICES
Family and friends are invited to her memorial service on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m. in the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 326 Main St., Hellertown. The services will be followed by the interment at Springtown Cemetery. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com.
CONTRIBUTIONS
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to March of Dimes, Donor Services Center, P.O. Box 8972, Topeka, KS 66608-8972; or Springfield Mennonite Church, 1905 Pleasant View Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036; or a charity of one’s choice.
