Joanne Morris

Joanne Gulitus Morris, R.N., 76, passed away peacefully with her daughters holding her hands, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown, PA, due to complications from Type 1 Diabetes on December 6, 2025. Born on November 16, 1949, in Kingston, PA, she was the oldest child of the late Walter and Lucille Romanowski Gulitus. Joanne was most recently a resident at Providence Place Senior Living Community in Drums, PA. Previously, she resided in York, PA and prior to 2012, Joanne resided in Mocanaqua, PA.

Joanne was a graduate of West Side Central Catholic High School where she was a majorette. Following high school graduation, she attended the Wilkes Barre School of Practical Nursing. Joanne often fondly recalled her first nursing instructor, who encouraged her students to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. She was known for being able to “MacGyver” just about anything.

She began her nursing career in the operating room at Mercy Hospital in Wilkes Barre and continued providing care for patients for decades at Nesbitt Hospital in Kingston. When bedside nursing became too physically demanding, Joanne continued her career in outpatient Neurology at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and retired from Yorktowne Urology in York, PA.

The Shakespeare quote, “Though she be but little, she is fierce,” accurately reflects Joanne. Although petite in size, she approached all aspects of her life with tenacity. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 12, Joanne took charge of her own care. Later, when her younger sister was also diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, she taught her sister how to manage her care. When her daughters were in elementary school, Joanne returned to school to earn her R.N. from Luzerne County Community College. She attended school full time during the day and worked full time as a nurse on second shift while taking care of her family. As a nurse, she was often assigned to the doctors that no one else wanted to work with because she could put them in their place. She was also a fierce medical advocate for her family, her patients, and ultimately, herself.

In her free time, Joanne liked going to the beach, riding roller coasters, shopping, watching true crime shows, and reading. She was an active member of the book club at Providence Place. Her favorite author was Kristin Hannah and The Women, a novel about nurses during the Vietnam War, her favorite book. Joanne enjoyed cheering on her favorite football teams, Penn State Nittany Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Most of all, Joanne loved being Nana to Gabe and Kate.

In addition to her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Norman Morris in 2023 and sisters Margaret Fink and Linda Gulitus. Joanne is survived by her brother Wally Gulitus and wife Richette, Plains, PA, daughter Lisa Hall and husband Todd, York, PA, daughter Linda Kelchner and husband David, Freeland, PA, and grandchildren Gabriel and Kathryn Hall, York, PA as well as her five grandpuppies and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Providence Place, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton (especially Dr. Perez, Mumira, Lucy, and Erlyn) and Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest (especially Rick and Natalia) for their compassionate care of both Joanne and the family.

Visitation will be held at Dinelli Family Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad Street, Nanticoke, PA on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 2:00 to 3:45 pm followed by a memorial service led by Chaplain Beverly Meneeley from Providence Place.

The family asks that family and friends wear Christmas themed clothes to honor Joanne as the family holiday magic maker. Interment of ashes will be private and at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Joanne asked that memorial donations be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) at www.breakthrought1d.org