Marie Louise Bolcar

Marie Louise Bolcar, 87, of Bethlehem, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024, at home with her loving family by her side. She was born October 27, 1936, in Lanark, PA, the daughter of the late John and Louetta (Franket) de Jong.

Marie will be remembered for living a life of service to her family, friends, and church. She was an independent young career woman who often adventured and traveled with her girlfriends. Then she met a charming man at an anniversary party, and the rest was history. Marie was married to Joseph M. Bolcar on July 1, 1961, and they created a wonderful life together for 63 years.

Marie was a graduate of Fountain Hill High School. Upon graduation, she began her career as an executive secretary in the Production Department of Bethlehem Steel. After 17 years at the Steel, she then worked as a secretary for Saints Simon & Jude R.C. Church, Esten Paving, and Lutron Electronics.

Marie found great joy in her volunteer work and hobbies. She was very involved at Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, Bethlehem, where she was affectionately known as the "Noodle Lady" for her dedication to making noodles for church fundraisers. She could also be found cooking and decorating for many other church events. Marie's hand-quilted placemats have adorned tables across the Lehigh Valley and beyond. In addition to enjoying reading and doing the daily newspaper puzzles, Marie was an avid fan of Dancing with the Stars, for which she designed an interactive scoreboard grid each season.

Marie was a devoted mother and grandmother who supported her family's education and extracurricular activities. She served in various officer roles of the Parent Teacher Association, Catholic Youth Organization, and was chairwoman of the St. Francis Academy flea market for several years.

She will be dearly missed by her husband Joe, daughters Tanya Korpics and husband Richard, and Milissa Bolcar. She was a doting Nana to her grandsons Ivan Korpics and Jozef Korpics. Marie is survived by her sisters Constance Grof, Sara Dunlap, Joann Werkheiser, and Louetta Cressman. Marie was preceded in death by her sisters Jeanne Reiss, Nancy de Jong, and Patricia Neubauer.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 8:00-9:15 a.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, 617 Pierce St., Bethlehem, PA 18015. Burial will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church and/or School Sisters of St. Francis, 395 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Condolences may be offered at www.connellfuneral.com.