Carole Gitomer Hoch

Carole Hoch entered eternal life on Monday, April 10, 2017. She left us too soon, after a year-long battle with MDS and AML, forms of leukemia. She was 73 years young. Her spirit is carried on by her loving husband, Charlie and daughter, Jennifer Gordon (husband Alexander), brothers Mark Gitomer (wife Susan Warner) and Richard Gitomer (wife Margaret Campbell), and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews, too many to list but not forgotten. Carole was born in Huntington, WV and spent most of her pre-college days in Uniontown, PA before making her way to Greensburg, PA where she spent several decades with Charlie. For the last 25 years, the Hochs planted themselves in Bonita Springs, FL for 6 months out of the year, successfully avoiding the cold weather. After graduating from University of Maryland, Carole was a business, accounting and typing teacher (back when there were typewriters). Soon after Jennifer was born, she obtained a mom taxi and spent many years keeping Jennifer (and Charlie too!) out of trouble. Being a Brownie and Girl Scout leader added much joy (and songs) to her life. These songs were the start of a tradition of singing in the car on road trips (short and long). Even though the family couldn’t carry a tune, they didn’t care, and sung their hearts out! Carole was involved in many fun adventures. She enjoyed many years of bowling a member of her local bowling club. She became an outside travel agent to get great deals which allowed her to become an accomplished world traveler. Carole even got her real estate license to not only help friends in the market, but to get the opportunity to see the inside of beautiful homes. Carole also loved to read and read thousands of books. She was a pretty darn good cook, too and was famous for her blueberry pound cake, cranberry muffins, cheese pancakes, corn soufflé, tomato casserole and delicious, homemade spaghetti sauce, and she wasn't even Italian! Carole took fashion cues from no one, dressing in bright, fun colors to go with her gorgeous fab and funky bead necklaces she passionately made. She was thrilled when people bought them right off her neck! She practiced many valuable life lessons like dance like no one is watching and don’t sweat the small stuff. She saw the silver lining in all bad news and enjoyed her life to the fullest, and helped anyone who was struggling. Carole was generous in her acceptance and love for all, which allowed her to be a confidant to many relatives and friends. She cared deeply for the handful of people who were close to her. We were blessed to have 73 years with the most amazing wife, mom, friend, and confidant. Carole is now happily reunited with her loving parents, Harold and Mildred Gitomer. If anyone knew her dad, Harold, you understood who Carole was and how she got to be who she was. In lieu of flowers, the Hoch Family asks that you donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org/). Carole would also love it if you over tip someone who gave you great service and bring an unexpected smile to someone's day. Wherever the next stop on her journey, she will miss the people she was fortunate enough to have in her life. She was loved so much by all, and we will miss her tremendously.