Joanne S. (Stafford) Mortimer, 86, of Emmaus, died Sept. 12, 2015. Born in Easton, Md., she was the wife of the late Charles Mortimer, a chemistry professor at Muhlenberg College, who died in 2001.

She graduated from Dickinson College, and while completing her Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania, she moved to Allentown in 1957 to begin her 26-year journey as a professor of European history at Muhlenberg College.

She set an example as a professional woman at a time when few existed. She received recognition as an historian and as one of Muhlenberg’s first female professors. Over the years she and her husband shared their love of education, and each other, by teaching the History of Science together.

After she left Muhlenberg she worked for a period of years as historical archivist at the Lehigh Valley Hospital. She also volunteered teaching reading in an adult literacy program. She herself was a voracious reader.

She and her husband enjoyed traveling and enticing their grandchildren away from Colorado to spend summers on the Jersey Shore.

She was always accompanied by a dog while she was at home. Her love of her pets grew, while the size of the dogs shrank.

In the 1980’s she discovered a new favorite pasttime: playing bridge. She made countless, lasting friendships with fellow enthusiasts.

She is survived by a son, Charles Edgar, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Phoebe Jeanne Morse, of Pine, Colo.,; grandchildren, Zachary Taylor Long, of Pittsburgh, Abigail Anne, of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Morgan Charles and Jane Elizabeth, of Pine, Colo.

Contributions may be made to the Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Road, Quakertown, 18951 or your favorite pet rescue.

A celebration of her life will be held 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at her home. Please come and share a memory.