Joan M. Clift, 88, of Nazareth, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2026 (one day shy of turning 89) at Gracedale Nursing Home in Upper Nazareth Township. Born in Northampton, she was the daughter of the late Harvey A. Sr. and Ellen E. (Eyer) Gehret. Joan was the devoted wife of William A. Clift for over 60 years before his passing in 2021.

A 1955 graduate of Northampton High School, she later attended Northampton Community College. Joan was a dedicated healthcare worker and was last employed as a certified nurse aide for the County of Northampton at Gracedale Nursing Home, prior to her retirement.

She lived a simplistic but satisfying lifestyle, finding pleasure in dining out, watching TV, and crossword puzzles. Joan may be best known for her talents as an exceptional baker and cook, who created mouth-watering sticky buns, cream cheese cupcakes, and her special broccoli salad. Joan loved traveling, whether it be to Las Vegas with her daughter and son-in-law, going to Plymouth, Massachusetts for whale watching, or Silver Birches in the Poconos, she always looked forward to spending time with her family.

She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses Nazareth Congregation.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Sharon Setzer of Lower Nazareth Township; sons, Douglas Clift and wife, Cynthia, of Moore Township, and Gregory Clift and wife, Carol, of Bethlehem Township; grandchildren, Cristie Fay and husband, Andrew, of Bethlehem, Chelie Setzer and husband, Drew Slotkin, of Easton, Carissa Clift of Mishawaka, Indiana, Zachary Clift of Wind Gap, and Zane Clift of Bethlehem; great-grandsons, Jordan Andrew Fay and Cameron Jeffrey Fay; brother, Harvey A. Gehret, Jr. and wife, Barbara; sister, Doris E. Keller of Nazareth; and sister-in-law, Anna Gehret of Nazareth.

In addition to her husband, William, she was predeceased by son, William S. "Billy" Clift; brothers, Albert P. and Marvin M. Gehret; sister, Grace Scale; and son-in-law, Jeffrey L. Setzer.

Joan's services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the GEORGE G. BENSING FUNERAL HOME, INC., in the Village of Moorestown - Bath. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at: bensingfuneralhome.net.