Nancy BROGDEN

1930 - 2022

It's with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Brogden (nee Gingrich) at the age of 91.

Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are her daughters Janice (Dennis Leuschen) and Mary (Michael Lafleur), her grandchildren Heather (Bernd Hinterlassnig), Craig, Chara, Kevin, Janessa (Cole McFarlane), and Sonya, as well as her great-grandchildren Francis, Ellis and a little one on the way.

She is survived by her older brother, Jack Gingrich (Mary) and nephews Roger and Paul.

Nancy, better known as Nan, was born to Elena (Ellis) and Alvin Gingrich, in their home on Cooper St. in Hespeler on July 15, 1930. She played in Forbes Park every day and loved softball and tennis.

She attended Hespeler Public School and Preston High School. She went on to study physical education at Western University, where she played intercollegiate tennis. After graduation, she taught Phys. Ed. at Petrolia District High School.

It is there that she met Clare Brogden (predeceased 1974), a teacher at the school, and they married in 1953.

Nan was a long-time resident of 165 Ontario St. However, she was best known in St. Catharines for her years working at the main branch of the St. Catharines Public Library. She met many life-long friends there.

She travelled to Europe many times, Venice and Prague being her favourites. She was an avid reader and was always up for a game of bridge, a crossword puzzle. jigsaw puzzle - or any card game. She played tennis into her 70s. She golfed, bowled, played croquet-golf and lawn-bowled into her late 80s.

Nan loved Big Band music and she played several instruments. When she was 12, she got a ukulele. She often showed up at gatherings with her uke to have a singalong.

She baked incredible pies and Christmas cookies and loved a good chocolate milkshake.

We'd like to thank the staff of Niagara Health System - St. Catharines Site's emergency department for their excellent care during her last days. A big thank-you to the staff at Tufford Manor Retirement Home for the care she received over the last seven months.

As per her wishes there will be no visitation and no funeral. However, we will have a small gathering in a few months.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to Butler Funeral Home Niagara Chapel.

Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in her memory.