The family of JoAnn H. Moyer is saddened to announce the gentle passing of their mother, wife of Charles W. L. Moyer of Lansdale and Doylestown PA, and daughter of Stella and Hurley Hort of Sunbury PA.
JoAnn was born in Danville PA, where she began her lifelong love of piano, taking lessons at the nearby Holy Family Convent. She later moved to Sunbury and graduated from Sunbury High School in 1946. JoAnn attended Susquehanna University where she flourished, joining the international music sorority Sigma Alpha Iota, performing with area big bands, and graduating in 1950. She had so many happy memories from this period in her life, including her time in Ocean Grove NJ where she worked during the summers at the Homestead Restaurant.
Her career in music education began in New Jersey, but she spent a majority of her career teaching in elementary schools in Bucks County as well as Central Bucks High School West. JoAnn also led countless students through private piano lessons in her home. She was proud to nurture both students and many student teachers into successful careers in music. JoAnn retired from teaching in 1993.
Early in her career, friends introduced her to Charles “Chick” Moyer and the two were married in 1954. They began raising a family in Lansdale, moved to Hartsville, and settled down for good in Doylestown where JoAnn had lived happily for 54 years. She enjoyed the Doylestown Historical Society, was a member of the Village Improvement Association, enjoyed volunteer work at the Montgomery County Association for the Blind as well as the Doylestown Hospital, and was an avid reader and movie go-er. Her hands were always busy either at the piano, doing needlework, or crocheting blankets for newborns.
JoAnn was steadfast in her commitments, creating a life sustained from the start by music and nourished by the love of family and friends. She maintained lifelong friendships with those she met as a child as well as people she met throughout adulthood — and even friends she met on bus trips. Likewise, she continued to stay in touch with teaching colleagues, fellow members of the Friendship Society at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and friends from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church where she attended Mass for years after Chick’s death. We must mention here too her enduring allegiance to the Philadelphia Eagles!
The family is so grateful for these continuing bonds and the supportive network of friends, helpers, and staff at the Doylestown Hospital who contributed to her wellbeing in life and the peace of her final days.
JoAnn is survived by her son, Charles “Chip” Moyer, Jr. (and his wife, Chere) and their sons: Marc and Paul; daughter, Annette Moyer Nicolas (and her husband, Peter) and their children: Abigail and Henry; JoAnn’s sister, Nancy Leister, of Sunbury; and several devoted nieces and nephews.
JoAnn’s graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, September 11 in Doylestown Cemetery, 215 East Court Street, Doylestown. Family and friends may meet at 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown, to proceed to the cemetery.
If you would like to honor JoAnn through a donation, please send a contribution in her name to: Doyle Elementary School Library or music department, 260 North West St, Doylestown, PA 18901; Bucks County Free Library, 150 South Pine St, Doylestown, PA 18901 or County Theater, 20 East State St, Doylestown, PA 18901.