Joanne Weiler Hager, 85

November 08, 2015

Joanne Weiler Hager, 85, of Lancaster passed away on November 8, 2015. She was predeceased by her husband, John R. “Jack” Hager, in 2009. They were married for 54 years. She was the daughter of the late Barton and Mary Elizabeth Weiler.

Joanne grew up in Lancaster and graduated from McCaskey High School in 1947. She majored in English and French at Millersville State Teacher’s College and graduated in 1951 with a B.S. in Education. She was salutatorian of her class of 395 students.

Joanne was an accomplished concert pianist and teacher of piano. She studied piano extensively with the late Earle W. Echternach, Lancaster. She attended the Aspen Music School in Aspen, Colorado, where she was a student of internationally known concert pianist Claudio Arrau. She also studied with Rosina Lhevinne of the Julliard School of Music in New York City. She started teaching piano in high school and continued during the early years of her marriage. In 1949, Joanne was Miss Greater Lancaster. She won the Miss Pennsylvania talent competition playing Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude. She was a piano soloist with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Columbia, PA, the Millersville University Concert Band, and the Franklin and Marshall Concert Band. Joanne also made numerous appearances on radio and television, and gave many recitals. Her last concert was in 1984 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster with Reginald Lunt, organist.

Joanne spent most of her life lovingly caring for her husband, children, and parents. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served on the music and worship committees. She was also a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a national organization that promotes educational opportunities for women.

Joanne is survived by Dr. Edward T. Hager (brother-in-law), Thousand Oaks, CA; Betty and Randy Van Vranken (daughter and son-in-law), Rochester, NY; Joanne Bucko (daughter), Chesterton, IN; and John B. Hager (son), Nome, AK; and 5 grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to her calling hour on Friday, November 13 at 10 AM, and funeral service at 11AM, at the First Presbyterian Church, 140 E. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 with Rev. Donald Hackett officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 719 Highland Ave, Lancaster.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joanne’s memory to Moravian Manor, 300 West Lemon Street, Lititz, PA 17543, or the First Presbyterian Church at the address above.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Moravian Manor for their many years of loving care.