Hannelore Blew

Our beloved mother, Hannelore Blew, 90, of Allentown, passed away on March 30, 2023. She was born October 26, 1932, daughter of Hanna-Carla (Gersdorf) and Dr. Bernhard Freydberg in Königsberg, East Prussia, Germany. In 1939, she and her family immigrated to Havana, Cuba and then to the United States in 1940, eventually settling in Forest Hills New York. The joy of her life was her Family. She met her husband Wilbur J. Blew at Lutheran camps Miller/ Hagan where she was a music counselor, and he was on the kitchen staff. After she graduated from college they moved to Allentown where they started their family. Her Lutheran faith was her calling, including her love of music and the work of the church. She served as the Director of Christian Education and Parish Administrator, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown, for 25 years. She sang in the church choir, and it was always a joy to hear her sing in the congregation during the service. A Deaconess of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Hannelore served as dean of the Allentown School of the Lay Academy and was on the Lay Academy Administrative Board. She also served as Chairwoman of the Associate in Ministry Task Force for the Professional Development Committee of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Hannelore was on the Advisory Committee for Children’s Services at The Lutheran Home in Topton and was a founding member of the board of directors for The Lutheran Academy in Northampton, PA. In addition to her service to the church she was involved with other community activities including Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. She served as President and was the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. She was a member of the Board of Associates for both Cedar Crest and Muhlenberg Colleges. She and Wilbur were Presidents of the Parents Association, were advisors to the Gryphon Society, as well as members of the Asa Packer Society at Lehigh University. Always keeping busy, she and Wilbur started, after their retirements, Meals to You/American Cafe Inc. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1954 with degrees in Zoology and Music Studies. She had fond memories of her time at Wellesley, and enjoyed spending time on campus in later years when she visited her granddaughter during family weekends and graduation. She helped form and served as President of the Lehigh Valley Wellesley Alumnae chapter. In addition, she was the President of the American Association of University Women. Hannelore was a great reader of books, one of her yearly activities was working on the annual Book sale for the AAUW. She specialized in valuing the books on religion. She is survived by her daughter Kristine Pearson and husband John of Avon CT, son Eric and wife Denise of Orefield PA, daughter Alison Roithmayr and husband Peter of Malvern PA, her grandchildren Christopher Roithmayr and his wife Kasia, Alison Pearson Arya and her husband Kunal, Carl Blew, Rebecca Roithmayr, and great grandsons Jacob and Connor Roithmayr and sister-in-law Patricia Hamsher. Hannelore had many nieces and nephews whom she adored. In addition, she had a group of lifelong friends including Catherine E. Speigel and her son Mark. She is predeceased by husband Wilbur J. Blew, brothers William E. Freydberg, Henry B. Freye, MD, and sisters Barbara Hammer, and Gabriele Freydberg. She always remembered everyone's birthdays and special occasions, and there was nothing better than a visit from anyone in the family. A memorial service for Hannelore and Wilbur will be held at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 37 S. 5th St. Allentown on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM, calling hour at 10:00 AM. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 37 South 5th Street, Allentown, PA 18101, or to Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, Inc, 245 N. Graham Street, Allentown, PA 18109.