Nora Jean (Stevenson) Keiser

Nora Jean (Stevenson) Keiser, 69, of Hazleton, passed away after a 2 ½ year courageous battle with cancer on Sunday evening at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Inpatient Hospice, Allentown.   

            Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late George and Isabelle (Culp) Stevenson.

            She was a graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, class of 1967 and a graduate of Allentown School of Cosmetology.

            Nora was employed as a beautician in the former Hess’s Department Store, Allentown, before marrying her elementary school classmate and later high school sweetheart, John “Jack” Keiser.  They would have been married 49 years this November. She also worked for several years as office manager for Dr. Ruth Poole.  In later years, she worked in local banking, retiring from Bank of America in 2008. 

            Nora was a perfectionist in all she did.  She was an excellent seamstress, making many of her children’s and grandchildren’s clothes and Halloween costumes.  She was also an exceptional cook, baker, homemaker, and always took great pride in her appearance and dress.  She loved clothes, shopping, playing cards and dominoes with her friends and family. Nora also enjoyed Bingo and visiting casinos. 

            Travel was another of her favorite pastimes and along with her husband became a world traveler having traveled extensively throughout the United States and many European countries. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandsons.

            Nora was a current member and former Eucharistic Minister of Holy Rosary R.C. Church, Hazleton.  She was a member of the PPL Retirement Club, her high school class reunion committee and the “Sensation Sixties” reunion committee.  She was also a member of the Hazleton and Allentown areas “Relay for Life” cancer organizations.  Nora had also done volunteer work for Breast Cancer, March of Dimes and League of Women Voters organizations.

             Surviving, are her husband John “Jack” Keiser; son, Dr. Jonathan C. Keiser, Chicago, Illinois; daughter Amy Marie Bellizia, Beaver Meadows; grandsons, Jonathan and Jason Webber, and Rex Bellizia, all of Beaver Meadows; sister Ella Maloney, Mechanicsburg; brothers, John Stevenson, Wilkes-Barre and George Bert Stevenson, White Plains, Maryland; and many nieces and nephews.

            Her funeral will be held Thursday.   The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary R.C. Church, Hazleton.  The Rev. Brian Clarke will be the celebrant.  Interment will be held at the convenience of the family.

            Calling hours will be held Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the church.

            Memorial donations may be made to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Inpatient Hospice, 1627 W. Chew St., Allentown, PA, 18102.

            The Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family with arrangements.

            Condolences may be entered and information is available at www.damianofhinc.com.

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