Itsu Bitting, 90, of Emmaus, died July 23, 2023, in her home surrounded by her family. Born in Japan, she was the daughter of the late Risaburo and Ino (Takahashi) Kawashima.

She worked as a sewing machine operator in the garment industry for many years and later at Day-Timer®, retiring in May of 1994.

Itsu, known to her friends and family as “Edie,” enjoyed walking with her friends, bus trips to the casino, gardening, crocheting and knitting, cooking and baking and spending time with her family.

She attended St. John’s Lutheran Church, Emmaus.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda S. and her husband, Michael Schanz, of Emmaus; grandchildren, Matthew Hamilton, Jessica Becker, Eric Schanz and Billy Schanz; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Matsuko Kawata, of Japan. She was predeceased by a daughter, Leah Hamilton, who died in 1986; two brothers; four sisters.

Contributions may be made in her memory to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 501 Chestnut St., Emmaus, 18049 or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324, New York, N.Y. 10087.

Arrangements were made by the Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus.