Anna Catherine (Jones) Hope
Anna Catherine Jones Hope died Sunday, November 4, in Harrisburg Hospital, surrounded and held by her family, after an all-too-short but courageous fight against late-stage lung cancer. She was 58.
Anna was a remarkably loving and giving woman who also possessed an intense streak of independence and marched to her own drummer. A gifted and talented musician, she spent the last 10 years focusing her efforts on the harp, teaching many students in her home and performing in a variety of venues. She performed on harp with the Hanover Symphony and West Shore Symphony and with Keystone Concert Band. She was a member of Old World Folk Band for several years, playing banjo, hammered dulcimer, harp, and rhythm piano, and a founding member of the acoustic musical group Sweet Heritage, with which she played lap and hammered dulcimer, autoharp, bowed psaltry, guitar, piano, and harp.
Before becoming a full-time musician she worked as an administrative assistant for the Harrisburg School District and as an executive secretary for the former Pennsylvania National Bank.
She is survived by her husband, John, Harrisburg; three sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel Hollenbush, Annapolis, MD; Michael and Carly Hollenbush, Hummelstown, and Andrew and Joanne Hollenbush, Millersburg; four stepsons and daughters-in-law, John and Lena Hope, Ann Arbor, MI, Kevin Hope, Harrisburg, Michael and Shaquena Hope, Harrisburg, and Christopher Hope and Tawana Bellamy, Harrisburg; former husband Richard Hollenbush and his wife Karen, Hershey; and six grandchildren, Kaylah Hope-Bellamy, Jerien Weaver, Xavier Weaver, James Hollenbush, Evan Hollenbush, and Mason Hollenbush. Also mourning her are her beloved pets Gus and Tucker, Jerry and Smudge, and Jay-Jay and Cleo, and countless friends and acquaintances whose lives she touched and enriched.
Anna was a proud graduate of John Harris High School and enjoyed participating in Class of 1966 reunions. She also attended Harrisburg Area Community College. For many years she was a member of Harrisburg Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker).
A Memorial Meeting for Worship in the manner of Friends will be held on Sunday, December 2nd, at 2 p.m., at Harrisburg Meeting, 1100 N. Sixth Street (Sixth and Herr Streets), Harrisburg. Her life will also be celebrated the previous night (December 1) starting at 5 p.m. at Sisco's Pizzeria and Spaghetti House, 3716 N. Sixth Street, Harrisburg. Bring musical instruments and "Anna stories" to share.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Anna Jones Hope Memorial Music Scholarship Fund that will be created.
Arrangements are being handled by Hoover Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Linglestown.