Annabelle Helen Dittbrenner August 22, 1930 - May 8, 2017

Annabelle Helen Dittbrenner, 86, of Salisbury Twp., passed away peacefully Monday, May 8, 2017, in Lehigh Valley Health Network.  She was the wife of the late John Hartman “Jack” Dittbrenner, Jr.  Born in Lowhill Twp., she was a daughter of the late Henry William and Estella Elizabeth (Hillegass) Pforr.  A 1948 graduate of Emmaus High School and a 1951 graduate of Allentown Hospital School of Nursing, she was a registered nurse.  From 1952–1971, she was a Staff Nurse at Allentown Hospital, progressing from general duty to Head Nurse to Supervisor of Psychiatry.  From 1962–1971, she also served as Administrative Director, Allentown Alcoholic Counseling Center Outpatient Clinic.  From 1971–1973, she was Coordinator of Northeastern PA Alcoholism Detox & Rehab Center in Northampton, PA.  From 1973–1993, Annabelle was the Executive Director, Office of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Services, Lehigh County Dept. of Human Services, Allentown, PA.  Following her retirement in 1993, she was employed by Treatment Trends of Allentown, PA from 1996 until May of 2017 as Coordinator of Quality Assurance.  Throughout her long career, she pursued post-graduate coursework and continuing education at numerous institutions, including Muhlenberg College, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Wilkes College, Cedar Crest College, Yale Univ., and Univ. of Pittsburgh.  Her community involvement throughout the years included serving as an Executive Board Member of Lehigh County Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1965–1973), Vice Chairperson, ALERT Partnership for a Drug Free Valley (1991–1993), Chairperson, Lehigh Valley AIDS NET Regional Allocation Subcommittee (1993–1995).  Among her many awards and honors, she received the Allentown YWCA Women’s Leadership Award (1993) and a Meritorious Service Award – Lehigh & Northampton Counties Drug & Alcohol Advisory Boards (1997).  Throughout her life, she was a self-described “quiet feminist”. Annabelle had always enjoyed traveling and experiencing life with her late husband, “Jack”, reading a good book, wine tasting, and socializing with friends and family members.  Survivors: sister, Reverend Kathleen A. Pforr, of Mentor Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews.  Brother, Adam F. Henritzy, preceded her in death.  Services: A “Celebration of Life Gathering” honoring both Annabelle and her late husband, John “Jack” Dittbrenner, will be held at Luther Crest, Main Bldg. 800 Hausman Rd. Allentown PA 18104 on Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 1 PM to 4 PM.  A private interment will be in Cedar Church Cemetery, Cetronia.  Arrangements entrusted to STEPHENS FUNERAL HOME, INC.  Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Treatment Trends, Inc. 24 S. Fifth St. Allentown 18101.