Bish

Sarah “Joan” Bish, 99, of Southern Pines, N.C., died peacefully at her residence at Belle Meade Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Born in Butler Dec. 24, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Edward and Minnie Leone Chambers Duffy.

After her high school graduation, Joan went on to Butler Business College. In 1950, she married Lawrence Edward “Mike” Bish. The couple settled in Lancaster, raising three children. Mike’s job transplanted the family from Lancaster to Pittsburgh and Thomasville, N.C., before they retired to Pinehurst, where they enjoyed playing golf.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Edward Bish Sr.; son, Lawrence E. “Mike” Bish Jr.; son-in-law, Charles Strittmatter; sisters, Kitty Lou Shelton, Patricia Norton and Marilyn McCarren; and brothers, Jesse Duffy Jr. and Robert Duffy.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Susan Strittmatter and Kathy Pigford (Tony); and daughter-in-law, Emily Bish. She was the grandmother of Tony Pigford III (Katie), Randy Pigford (Marlena) and Katy Cavanaugh (Brandon). She is also survived by her seven great-grandchildren.

BISH — A funeral Mass for Sarah “Joan” Bish, who died Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the chapel at Belle Meade.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Services are entrusted to BOLES FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTHERN PINES.

Online condolences may be made at www.BolesFuneralHome.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.