Joan McDermott Hudson, 79, died July 7, 2013, at the Phoebe Home, Allentown, after a 16-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was the wife of the late Henry (Bill) William Hudson III. Born in Massachusetts, she was a daughter of the late Francis H. and Mary Agnes (Sullivan) McDermott.

She was a 1974 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Cedar Crest College. Upon graduation she taught first grade in the East Penn School District, at both Lincoln and Wescosville Elementary until June, 1984. She and her late husband moved to Duxbury, Mass., where she was a substitute teacher and Docent at the Duxbury Massachusetts Art Complex Museum. They returned to Emmaus in December 1991 and later lived in Millbrook Chase, Macungie, from 2000 to 2005.

She was an active Emmaus Public Library volunteer beginning in 1964, when it opened in its present location and was a member of the Friends of the Library. She returned to substitute teaching in EPSD and at The Hillside School.

She enjoyed bridge, reading, walking and was highly skilled at knitting and quilting.

She was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, Emmaus.

She is survived by daughter Holly J. and her husband Richard A. Stauffer, son Henry (Bill) William IV and his wife Sally Gilliland, daughter Heather J. and her husband Timothy Harris, and son Christopher McDermott and his wife Janet Bradford; six grandaughters; six grandsons; three great-grandsons.

Memorial donations may be made to the Emmaus Public Library, 11 E. Main St., Emmaus, 18049 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Lehigh Valley Branch, 617 Main St. #A, Hellertown, 18055.

A private family burial is being arranged by the Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m. in St. Ann's Catholic Church, 415 S. 6th St., Emmaus.