Obituary of Hannelore Maria McCollum

Hannelore Maria “Hanna” McCollum (nee Fritz) was a beloved great-grandmother,
grandmother, mother, and wife during her incredible 87 years of life. The Lord called her
home peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
 
Hanna had a long and full life. She was born on October 26, 1937, in Ulm, Germany to two
loving parents, Alfred and Ida Fritz. She emigrated to the US in 1963 to pursue her
American Dream. She married Byron June 6, 1970 and they began their lives together
traveling the world and volunteering within their church community.
 
Hanna’s kind smile brought joy to many through all her volunteer and service-based work
throughout the years.  She changed the world for the better through her work at Redeemer
Lutheran Church, volunteering to coordinate and knit throw blankets for those in hospice,
her undying dedication to the Eastern Star, the time she spent working at the elementary
school near her home, and her years of service at Doylestown Hospital.  Her friendly and
accepting nature, courage, fortitude, and overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude at the
smallest things in life was infectious and should be emulated in our world today.
 
Hanna spent her time caring for plants at her community (The Manor at Yorktown), holding
knitting classes in her apartment for those eager to learn, cooking meals for the less
fortunate through her church (Redeemer Lutheran Church), knitting for all types of gifts for
others, spending time with her “lunch bunch” and being an active member of her
community.
 
Hanna was predeceased by her husband, Byron Olson McCollum, parents, Alfred and Ida
Fritz, and son, Craig Byron McCollum (Barbara). She is survived by her two children: Joyce
McCollum, and Susan Simmler (William) She leaves behind her grandchildren: William,
Karen (Wade), Amy (Jason), Craig, and Trisha (John), great-grandchildren: Jake, Shayla,
Ben, Joshua, Logan, Liem, Rex, Jacob, Jason Junior, Jackson, and Elcie and great-great-
grandchild Maeve, and Tommy. She also leaves many other family members and dear
friends who will sadly miss her.
 
Relatives and friends are invited to her memorial service, Saturday January 18 th , 2025,
10AM Calling, 11AM Service, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2100 York Road, Jamison,
PA. 18929. Interment will be private for family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Hanna’s
memory to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2100 York Road, Jamison, PA. 18929 and/or
Masonic Village, 850 Norristown Rd., Warminster PA 18974, would be appreciated by her
family.