Loretta "Nancy" Hassel

Loretta Ann "Nancy" Hassel
Loretta Hassel (nee Pepper) - Nancy as she was affectionately known, lost her valiant 3-year
battle with cancer. Her desire to watch her beloved grandchildren grow and thrive was the
driving force to win the battle. She was an unbelievable Mother to her four delightful, talented
and caring children and an incredibly special Grammy to her "best friends" – the eight spirited
and lively grandchildren. She was also known as the crazy "Mom" to her nieces, nephew and
other children in the neighborhood, with the best Kool-Aid and snacks and the mom that people
brought their kids to, to treat their boo-boos. She was a very engaged Mom, as their chauffeur,
cheerleader, baker for school events - tending to all of their needs and desires and on
exceedingly rare occasions the disciplinarian, all while diligently working as an RN. In later
years she was the family driving trainer for each of the children and continued to maintain an
active role in their lives. She loved to decorate for Christmas, albeit starting around midnight on
Christmas Eve! In later years it gave her joy to leave the tree up to become the Valentines Day
tree and sometimes even the Easter tree with the needles rapidly dropping on the floor to
embarrass the kids posing for their prom pictures. Her favorite escape was to Ocean City with
all of the kids and later the grandkids.
She lived in Delco her whole life; she was raised in Ridley Township and has lived in Glenolden
for the past 45 years.
Being a relatively private person, we just recently learned that she was in the top 30 of 1,200
students in the class of 1972 at Cardinal O'Hara, after 8 years at OLPH and apparently was a
brilliant student at the St. Agnes Nursing School with the class of 1975, as well as being the life
of the party there! She worked on the floors at St. Agnes Hospital while she was a student
there, followed by serving as an RN at Taylor Hospital, Bryn Mawr Hospital and over 40 years of
dedicated service at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, retiring in October 2020. She also worked at
many doctors' offices in the area during that time. She made lifelong friends with her St. Agnes
colleagues as well as a close-knit group of co-worker friends at Fitz, who were all very
supportive of her epic battle and to whom we are all appreciative – we will never forget the love
and support that they provided to her and all of us.
She was the daughter of the late Thomas L. Pepper, Jr. and Gerarda "Gerry" Walsh Pepper.
Mother of George (Meghan), Kelly D'Eletto (Jim), Megan Douthwaite (Jason), Kathy Kujawa
(Rod). Proud Grandmother of Georgie, Will, Jimmy, Chloe, Emily, Karlie, Ella and Nathan.
Much further down the list of importance, she was the wife of George Hassel for 47 years and
51 weeks, who was one of her first patients! She was the sister of Susan (dec' d) (Karl)
Mableson, Joan (dec' d) (Tom) (dec' d) Gallagher, Tom III (dec' d) (Joan ) Pepper, Mark (dec'
d) (Michele) Pepper, Steven Pepper and David (Joan) Pepper. Additionally, she is survived by
numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins by the Dozens, 15 nieces and nephews, along with Ray and
BJ (dec' d) Hassel her beloved father and mother-in-law, who loved her like a daughter and
Brian and Gail Hassel her beloved brother and sister-in-law, who also loved her like a sister.
She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting and musical events, as well as their special
award ceremonies, Kindergarten plays, nursery school holidays and graduation ceremonies.
She also was always in the front row proudly supporting her children's honor and graduation
events from elementary school, high school and through the awarding of their university
bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees!
Outside of her busy family and work life. She also enjoyed going to Philly Pops, Ocean City
Pops, Beach Boys, Manheim Steam Roller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra concerts, playing
miniature golf with the munchkins, visiting Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, the Brandywine
River Museum, and Christmas decoration displays and while she would not admit it – Christmas
music. She was an amazing gardener, succeeding in having color in the yard all year long.
Nancy was a wizard with cross word puzzles, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune – we always
thought that she was going to try out for one or both shows in retirement! Anyone who has
passed by our houses during the summer would also know that she had a "slight fondness" for
flamingos!!
The family would like to heartily thank and commend the doctors and staff of Jefferson's
Departments of Medical Oncology, Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology, Outpatient Imaging,
Social Services and Magee Rehab, as well as the Main Line Health Home Care & Hospice
team!
We ask that if you are planning to visit us to celebrate Nancy's life at McCausland Garrity Marchesani Funeral Home, 343 S Chester Pike Glenolden PA 19036 on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 6-8pm or Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 9:30-10:30 with her Funeral Service starting at 10: 30am that you come
informally, preferably in flamingo or other informal clothes to honor her humorous love of life.
Neckties will be cut off!! Those of you who knew Nancy well understand that she would enjoy
everyone sharing a silly or funny moment and not be sad. We are sure that she is already
making herself known in heaven, and not at the corner table in hell as she always joked about.
God took her way to soon, but we guess he needed her caring spirit and humor in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, food or donations to charity - we ask that in honor and memory of Nancy that
you follow in her life's footsteps and do something nice for someone else – whether it is for one
of your friends, family members or better yet a complete stranger.