Helen M. "Holly" Witlin

Helen M. “Holly” (Pordan) Witlin passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at her residence in Audubon, PA. She was 73. Mrs. Witlin was a former resident of Ambler, PA. She graduated in 1965 from St. Luke’s Nursing School and also attended the University of Pennsylvania. Helen worked as an Intensive Care Nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem and a Specialized Nurse for the American Oncologic Hospital, now known as the Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research. She then earned a Gemologist Degree from the Gemological Institute of America in New York and worked as a jewelry appraiser for two national insurance companies, opening an office and laboratory in her home in Ambler. Helen retired in 1994 to both enjoy and care for her grandchildren and her mother who lived with her for many years. Holly was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Ambler. She enjoyed playing golf with her husband and friends at Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell, and vacationing at her second home on the ocean in Hilton Head, S. Carolina. She learned to read architectural drawings and planned, supervised and organized the construction of 3 of their personal homes, including decorating. Holly learned Hungarian to be able to communicate with family living in Hungary, traveled there frequently, and eventually had dual citizenship taking an oath of allegiance to Hungary in May of 2012, in Budapest. Born in Easton, PA on December 7, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Helen M. (Koches) Pordan. She was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Robert and Frank Pordan. Surviving is her husband of 38 years, John R. Witlin; a son, Charles "Charlie" Bowden, IV and his significant other, Amanda Schirk, of Norristown, PA; a daughter, Elizabeth Witlin-Roberts of Ambler, PA; a step-son, John “Jack” (Jodi) Witlin; a step-daughter, Roberta (David) Rotella; 10 grandchildren: Joy Rotelle, Hope Rotelle, August John “AJ” Rotelle, Russell Roberts, Helen Roberts, Mary Kate Rotelle, Kendall Bowden, Charles “Quentin” Bowden, Jacob Rotelle and Ryan Schirk; 1 great-grandson, Colin Lehman; and 1 niece, Cathy Pordan-Putnam.. Relatives & friends are invited to Holly’s Funeral Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 259 Forest Ave. Ambler, PA on Monday, July 23, 2018 at 10:00 am. Her viewing is Monday from 9:15 to 9:45 am. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery, 830 Fifth Ave., Alpha, NJ 08865 at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Holly’s memory to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, PO Box 32141, New York, NY 10087-2141. www.OCRFA.org Arrangements are by The Bacchi Funeral Home and Crematory, Ltd., Bridgeport, PA. Condolences to the family at www.bachfh.com