Penelope Grace Nader

1935 - 2023

Penelope Grace (Johnson) Nader, the beloved matriarch of her family, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2023 at Country Meadows, Allentown, PA.

Penny was born in Buffalo, NY on June 23, 1935, the older of two daughters for Harry and Jane (McKibbon) Johnson. After graduating valedictorian from Winter Haven High School in Florida in 1953, where she was voted "friendliest" in her class, Penny joined the U.S. Army as a psychiatric ward nurse. While stationed at Texas' Fort Hood Army base, she met Thomas G. Nader, Jr., the love of her life, and the two married in 1954 while serving together in Munich, Germany.

Penny and Tom moved to Allentown, PA in 1955, where they raised their four children and became active members of the Lehigh Valley business community. Penny owned and operated Nader's Beauty Salon on West Street while Tom established Nader Brothers Exxon, a full-service station on Tilghman Street that he ran for more than 35 years. In 1993, Penny and Tom purchased H&M Concessions at the Allentown Fairgrounds. For nearly fifteen years, Penny and Tom became fixtures at the fair's weekend trade shows and summer concerts, where Penny's enduring beauty and bright personality (she greeted customers with an enthusiastic "hi honey!") won her countless admirers among the trade show vendors who lined up to order a barbeque sandwich or coffee from her. During this time, Penny also took on responsibilities hosting the Great Allentown Fair's annual cooking contests and serving as a director of the Lehigh Valley Agricultural Society, positions she continued to hold following her husband's death in 2002.

Penny's jovial nature was coupled with immense talent and creativity, and she forged lifelong friendships as she pursued her interests in painting, collecting and cooking. Penny's greatest source of joy – her family – were the true beneficiaries of her talents. Penny loved her family unconditionally, which she expressed through memorable holiday meals, summer pool parties and the gentle ways she helped cultivate her children's and grandchildren's own interests. Penny was surrounded by family in her final days, who will miss her deeply but take comfort in the belief that she is once again reunited with her beloved husband Tom.

Penny is survived by her children, Michael (Karen) Nader of Kennet Square, PA, Michelle (Vance) Powers of Fogelsville, PA, Barbara (Tod) Elliott of Allentown and Thomas (Shawn) Nader of Philadelphia along with her nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, and a sister, Judith Dellaratta.

Visitation: Monday, November 20, 2023 will be 10:00 a.m. at Robert C. Weir Funeral Home, 1802 Turner Street, Allentown, PA,

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, November 20 at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena beginning at 11:15 AM and interment immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org, or to The Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena.

Arrangements by the Weir Funeral Home