Our family sadly announces the passing of Rhoda T. Stickel, 83, of Easton, Pennsylvania, formerly of Boonton Township, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 8, 2018.  She was the wife of Gene Stickel for 41 years.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Ruby and Frieda Terk and was preceeded in death by her older sister, Sally.

Rhoda earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Goddard College and worked toward her post-doctoral degree in Behavior Analysis at Fairleigh Dickinson University. As a Special Education Teacher/Learning Disabilities Consultant, she worked with behaviorally disadvantaged teenagers in the Teaneck, NJ School System. After retiring, her passion for helping kids continued through her private practice.

Gene and Rhoda traveled the world from Africa to South America to Europe, always making a stop in Disney World to spoil their grandchildren. Being avid music lovers, they sang in multiple choruses and enjoyed all that New York's performing arts had to offer.  Rhoda was devoted to her family and kept everyone together during Boonton Thanksgivings, Christmas celebrations and many large family vacations in the Outer Banks, NC and Woodloch Pines Resort in PA.

She is survived by her beloved Sweetheart, Gene; four sons, Peter Sturm and his wife Roxanne, Colly Stickel and his wife Diane, David Sturm and his wife Nancy, and Timothy Stickel; a daughter, Carol Hartman and her husband Kevin; and seven grandchildren, Brian Stickel, Jason Stickel and his wife Laura, Kyle Hartman, Kaylee Stickel, Sarah Sturm, Jesse Stickel and Jessica Sturm.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 13, in the Pearson Funeral Home, 1901 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA.  Family and friends are invited for visitation 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that we honor Rhoda's dedication to saving animals by making a contribution to Best Friends Animal Society at www.bestfriends.org/memorials or 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741.