Joan F. Banzhoff of Mechanicsburg passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. She was born on December 26, 1926 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Harold and Helen T. Fogelsanger of Philadelphia. Mom was preceded in death by her sister Nancy Andrews of Cherry Hill, New Jersey and our Dad Harry G. Banzhoff whom she was married to for 63 years.
Mom had been a member of Market Square Presbyterian Church, Junior League of Harrisburg, Penn Cumberland Garden Club, and a volunteer for Mechanicsburg Meals on Wheels. She donated generously to various charities. She was a skillful bridge player, and was a member of the Harrisburg Bridge Club, where she held the rating of Life Master awarded by the American Contract Bridge League.
Her greatest accomplishment though was raising the 5 of us. Mom was a quiet and unassuming woman with more inner strength that anyone else we know. Mom loved that her extended family of our friends, and their children as well, would smile when they called her Mom, Momma Chub or Grandma.
Over 40 years ago, Mom started having breakfast with her friends every Saturday morning at the Colony House Restaurant. A tradition with her friends and their children that will continue.
She enjoyed cake, biscotti, blueberry pancakes, Bloody Marys, candy and crisp bacon – not necessarily in that order. She looked forward to Sunday morning bagels with her family and roasting hot dogs and eating s'mores around the fire ring with everyone who would come.
When Mom smiled the twinkle in her eyes could light up even the darkest day. Known and described as kind, sweet, loving and a giving person anyone who met her young and old alike fell in love with her. Always choosing to see the best, She never said a bad word about anyone.
Mom is survived by daughters Lindsey of Winter Park, Florida , Cherie; granddaughter Tierna (husband Adam and great granddaughter Lily); sons Harry (wife Patricia, granddaughters Meredith and Brittany); Robert (wife Lori, granddaughter Amanda); and Jeff (wife Mary, grandsons Joseph and Jonathan), 2 nieces and 5 nephews; all from Mechanicsburg, and sister-in-law Babe Banzhoff of Naples, Florida
Mom loved to whistle all the time when she was home. The song did not matter. She would go from Winter Wonderland to Battle Hymn of the Republic to In My Easter Bonnet. Her repertoire was endless. When we were kids, she even had a special whistle to call us home. She whistled when she got up in the morning, she whistled in the shower and while getting dressed. Going downstairs or going up, Mom whistled. We have a family saying "Mom's whistling. Life is good". Keep whistling Mom. We love you. Visitation will be held at Myers-Harner Funeral Home, 1903 Market Street, Camp Hill on Monday July 28th from 6:00PM – 8:00PM. Funeral services will be held at Myers-Harner on Tuesday at 11:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, contribution may be made to Mechanicsburg Meals on Wheels.