Joan Bush

Joan Bush, 79, of Lewisburg, PA passed away Monday, August 14, 2017 at her home after a long battle with breast cancer.

She was born November 11, 1937 in West Newton, PA a daughter of the late Walter and Ruth (Nichols) Lash.  She was the fifth of six children and was raised on a 100 acre dairy and poultry farm.  On June 16, 1962, she married her longtime boyfriend, Dennis Bush, and they celebrated 34 years of marriage before his death on November 21, 1996.

Joan was a 1955 graduate of Sewickley Township High School and a 1959 graduate of Penn State University. She also attended the Merrill Palmer Institute for Child and Family Development.

Joan was employed by the Milton Area School District for over twenty years as a Family and Consumer Science teacher.  She also taught in the Penn Hills School District and the Trinity Area School District.

She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg.  She was a member of the PEO sisterhood, AAUW and the Garden Club of Lewisburg.  Joan was an avid bridge player for many years.

Surviving her are two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Harold Vanasse, of West Chester, and Nancy and Ed Snyder, of Erie; four grandchildren, Sarah Vanasse, Adam Snyder, Lauren Vanasse and Dan Snyder; one brother and three sisters: Norma Goff, of Media, Marian Greenawalt, of Sewickley, Wayne Lash, of Greensburg and Nancy Spadaro, of Venice, FL.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by one brother, Robert Lash.

Joan was an intelligent and caring person.  Joan spent her life reading, learning, and researching.  Throughout her life she took classes either pertaining to her career, interests, or to better understand her disease.  Joan set an example for being there for others. She was always available to listen and share her words of wisdom.  She enjoyed meaningful conversations with family and friends over a good meal either home-cooked or from a favorite restaurant.

Joan had a sense of adventure and enjoyed her travels with family and friends to Europe, Alaska, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and out west.

Friends will be received from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. Tuesday August 22, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, 18 Market St., Lewisburg, where a memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM.

Interment will be held privately in the Lewisburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, 16133 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA 91436. The website is: drsusanloveresearch.org.