Elaine Lerner

Elaine D. Lerner, longtime Allentown resident and business owner, passed away peacefully on November 16th, 2025 in Florida. She was 91.

She was the daughter of Ethel and Manny Davis, born in 1934 in Atlantic City, NJ. Elaine grew up in show business. Manny was a producer who moved the family to Allentown to manage the Lyric Theater, and later Melody Circle at Dorney Park. A graduate of Allen High, Elaine worked in the box office and in promotions. Just over the hill from the amusement park, Elaine, ever industrious, even made the meatballs for the concession stand in the early days of Dorneyville Golf Center, co-founded by her husband of 57 years, Les, who passed in 2013.

Her calling, though, was travel. With four sons under foot and no college degree, Elaine founded Group Travel Associates in 1967. Starting from the basement of their west Allentown home, she would eventually go on to run Hess's Travel Centers, bringing joy to countless Lehigh Valley families who booked their vacations through the agency. Elaine also handled corporate accounts like Mack Trucks and Air Products, while creating incentive programs for among others, Western Electric and Pennsylvania Realtors. Still today, nearly 60 years after she began her career, her online cruise business, National Discount Cruise Company, is thriving

Her work took her and Les around the world, from the Egyptian pyramids to the Great Wall of China. But she was happiest at home, with family and friends, at Thanksgiving, after a Bar Mitzvah or graduation. The door was always open, a pot of her homemade vegetable soup simmering on the stove.

Elaine was a past president of the Women's Auxiliary at the Allentown Jewish Community Center and donated to Jewish causes throughout her life. A good golfer, too, Elaine cherished her late afternoon rounds with Les and her boys at The Berkleigh Country Club.

Her motto in life was simple. Trust your gut and keep the motor running. It was quite a run.

Elaine is survived by her children, Robert L. Lerner and wife, Carol of Princeton, NJ; Dr. Guy M. Lerner and wife Dr. Nancyanne Lerner of Louisville, KY; Richard M. Lerner and his wife Robin of Wilton, CT; and Theodore A. Lerner and his wife Aurora of Angeles City, the Philippines; her seven grandchildren, Dana, Jordan, Aaron, Delilah, Jesse, Jack and Shanti Lerner, as well as her brother Mike Davis of Denver, CO.

A Memorial Service / Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Bachman, Kulik, Reinsmith Funeral Home, 17th & Hamilton Streets, Allentown, www.BKRFH.com

You may view Livestream by searching Elaine Lerner Funeral Service on YouTube starting on December 3, 2025 at 10:45 am.

Contributions in Elaine's memory can be made to The Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, 702 N. 22nd Street, Allentown, PA 18104, or to the charity of your choice.