Joan Elizabeth Hildreth Adams

Joan Elizabeth Hildreth Adams, 89, of Landisville, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at home, just as she wanted, with her daughter and cat by her side. Born in Bridgeton, NJ, she was the daughter of Kennard and Dorothy Hildreth. Joan was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, where she was a proud member of the “Blue Beetle Gang,” some of her lifelong friends. She earned her dental hygiene degree from Temple University and later a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Charleston. Devoted single mom to Leslie and Nancy, Joan raised strong independent, well-educated women in Charleston, WV, while juggling many jobs, leading the girls’ 4-H Housemaster’s Club, participating in the First Presby choir and youth ministries, serving as the first dental hygienist on the WV Board of Dental Examiners (the position she personally lobbied Governor Rockefeller to create while cleaning his teeth), and attending every horse show, track meet, or event her girls were a part of. After relocating to Lancaster, PA, in the 1990s, Joan treasured every minute she was able to spend being an amazing and enthusiastic Mommom to Rachael, Jamie, Francis, and Kasi. In the final year of her life, she cherished watching Jamie and Nick become amazing parents to her first great-grandchild, Nash, and having the opportunity to spend some everyday life moments with the now local Rachael and Filup. Joan was a lover of animals, great and small, beautiful floral arrangements, National Geographic, British television, art of any kind, and breaking expectations. She leaves behind a legacy of love and inspiration. Joan is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Mark) Herman of Landisville, PA, her son-in-law, Cortland Eble of Lexington, KY; her grandchildren, Rachael Herman (fiancé Filup Molina), Jamie (Nick) VanRensselaer, Francis Eble, and Kasi Herman; her great-grandchild, Nash VanRensselaer; her sister-in-law, Brenda Hildreth of Fairton, NJ, her Hildreth and Jones family nieces and nephews, and several cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Leslie Eble of Lexington, KY, sister Floss (Sid) Jones of Stone Harbor, NJ, and brother Kennard Hildreth Jr. of Fairton, NJ. The family extends sincere thanks to the staff of the Lancaster Cancer Center for their exceptional care of Joan for over 25 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a local animal shelter, wildlife center, or the youth program of HUMC. A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held at The Groffs Family Funeral Home, 528 W. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA, on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.