Anne R. Brennan Bear, 97, a former resident of Northampton, Hokendauqua and Allentown, died peacefully Sept. 25, 2020.

She was the wife of Francis R. Bear, who died in 1988 and Thomas J. Brennan, who died in 1964.

Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Rosina (Lang) Taus.

A 1941 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School, and a 1944 graduate of the Sacred Heart School of Nursing, where she was a member of the Cadet Nurses Corps.

She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in both Allentown and Norristown, and later was an insurance nurse providing physicals to applicants.

She was very proud to be a longtime participant in the Harvard University study on the longevity of life of nurses.

A member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Coplay, she formerly attended the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena, Allentown.

Her survivors include grandsons Michael Cawthray, Richard Cawthray and his wife, Ruth, William Cawthray Jr. and his wife, Betty Ann; granddaughter Mary Alyce Cawthray; and many additional grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by great-granddaughter Laura Ellen Cawthray, daughters Ellen Brennan, Mary Cawthray and husband, William, Anne Meier and husband, Donald, Rose Taus; brothers John Taus and wife Stella, Charles and Joseph Taus.

Her Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Msgr. John J. Martin 10 a.m. Oct. 16 in St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 4 S. Fifth St., Coplay, PA 18037. There will be no calling hours. Interment will follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

Memorial contributions may be presented to LifePath for the care of Mary Alyce.

Make checks payable to Michael Cawthray, 444 Pershing Blvd., Whitehall, PA 18052.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Whitehall.