Rhoda Claire Bishop

Bishop, Rhoda Claire
Apr. 6, 1929 - Nov. 10, 2013
Rhoda Claire Bishop, 84, of Sarasota, FL passed away at home, surrounded by her family on Nov. 10, 2013 following a courageous two and a half year battle with cancer. Rhoda was born on April 6, 1929 and was raised in Palmerton, PA. She was the daughter of Tracey and Arlene Sterner Steele.
She married Edward W. Serfass, moved to Tunkhannock, PA where they raised their three children. She was a member of St. Peter's Church and very involved in church activities. She served on the Alter Guild and sang in the choir. Rhoda also worked part time in various shops in Tunkhannock and as a receptionist for both Dr. Rineheimer and Dr. Hunting.
After Rhoda's husband died, she moved back to Palmerton to help with both her aging mother and mother-in-law. She was the treasurer of the Owl's Nest gift shop at the Palmerton Hospital. In Palmerton she reconnected to the family church, St. John's Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir, and was a member of the Vestry. It was through her church activities that she met Tom Bishop. They were married in this church and she helped raise his two sons. After Tom's retirement, they moved to Sarasota, FL.
Rhoda enjoyed her life and had many hobbies. She loved reading books, painting, antiquing, knitting, cooking, decorating, puzzles, organizing, walking, and taking care of her gorgeous plants.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward and sister, Gladys Steele (Wilner). Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Tom Bishop, her children, Gail and her husband Robert, Meshoppen PA, sons, Joel and his wife, Debbie, Northampton PA, Edward (Ned), Bethlehem PA. Stepsons Andrew and his wife Linda, Virginia Beach VA, and Eric and his wife Melissa, Sicklerville NJ. Brother, Peter and wife Janice, Stroudsburg PA. Sister in Law Heddy Hubbard, Rockville MD. Six grandchildren; Tracey Long Stanley, Troy Long, Brenton Serfass, Kimberly Serfass, Stephanie Serfass, and Jeffrey Serfass. Five step grandchildren Alec Bishop, Evan Bishop, Kerry Bishop, Thomas Bishop, and Samuel Bishop. Two great-grandchildren Cadence and Brayer Stanley, cousin Judy Wynd Cooper, and many nieces and nephews.
Her family extends their heartfelt appreciation to all of her doctors especially Dr. Constance Purser, Dr. Philip Purser, Dr. M. Claudia Mallarino, and Dr. Dwight Fitch. In addition, the family wishes to acknowledge the special care and kindness of the nurses and staff at Lakewood Ranch Hospital, Health South, Take Care, and Tidewell Hospice.
Memorial services and interment will be held at Church of the Nativity, Sarasota on Monday, November 18th at 10 AM. Also, a memorial service at St. Johns Episcopal Church Palmerton PA will be held on a date to be announced later.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of the organizations mentioned previously or the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, or the Tunkhannock Historical Society.