Mrs. Nancy C. Hager

Hager Nancy C. Hager of Clayton Road, Lancaster, died peacefully at the age of 87 on October 27, 2012 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after a short illness. She was the wife of the late Nathaniel E. Hager, Jr., an Armstrong scientist who died in October of 1991. Born in Lancaster in 1925, she was the daughter of Lucy Clemous (Hugle) and William Bright Cleaver. Nancy grew up on E. Ross Street, Lancaster, attended George Ross Elementary and McCaskey High schools. Her young adult years were greatly influenced by both the Depression and World War II. She met her husband, Nat, at a social gathering at Franklin and Marshall College and they were later married in June, 1948. The newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon around the Gaspe Peninsula, making their first home in Bethlehem, Pa while Nat finished his graduate studies at Lehigh University. After a couple years in West Caldwell, NJ, making life long friends and enjoying shopping/restaurants/museums in NYC, they returned to Lancaster in 1954. Nancy attended Lancaster Business College and worked at the Girl's Club in Bethlehem for a brief period. She attended First United Methodist Church through her middle years. But her family, home and garden were Nancy's passions. A very capable seamstress, she sewed many of her own clothes and draperies during the Depression and beyond. Decorating her home, landscaping her yard, and caring for her garden/greenhouse were her talents; cooking gourmet French/Alsatian meals and caring for her family remained her focus. Her pleasures included several trips to Europe, most notably to visit with her French cousins, relationships she had cherished her entire life. Travelogue evenings spent with friends at the Hamilton Club were dates never to be missed. And life with her neighbors on Clayton Road enriched her later years. She is survived by a sister, Audrey J. Brinton, Lancaster; her son, Nathaniel E. Hager, III, Lancaster; and her daughter, Sarah Hager Gross, wife of Kenneth E. Gross, Allentown. Nancy also has two beloved adult grandchildren, Andrew W. Gross, and Elizabeth A. Gross, both of Allentown. They will always remember their Grandma for her love and zest for life, no matter the challenges she encountered. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Nancy's Life Celebration Funeral Service from the funeral home of Fred F. Groff, Inc., 234 W. Orange St., Lancaster, PA on Friday, November 2, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. with The Rev. Herbert H. Michel, D.D., Interim Pastor of Jordan Evangelical Lutheran Church, Orefield, PA, officiating. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Fred F. Groff, Inc. on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Lymphoma Research Foundation, 115 Broadway, Suite 1301, New York, New York 10006. Fred F. Groff, Inc. A Life Celebration Home 234 West Orange Street Lancaster, PA 17603 717-397-8255