Joan Bitner was born Joan Marlene Hagen July}7, 1937 and passed suddenly on May 28, 2008 at her home in Gilroy, CA. She was born in Renovo, PA where she spent her youth and met and married George H. Bitner in 1957. With her husband she raised four children, living in Colorado and Montana before settling in California. She will be remembered by her loved ones as a devoted and caring wife and mother as well as a warm hearted lover of animals and flowers. Joan is survived by her husband George; children Kathryn, Robert, Thomas, and Gregory; siblings Charles and Patty; and grandchildren Eric, Alex, Jennifer and Joseph. Funeral Mass Monday, June 2, 2008 – 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Church, Gilroy. Family would appreciate donations to the Humane Society. Arrangements by Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy.