ANNA MAY "NANCY" FRIEL

FRIEL, ANNA MAY (NEE KEEBLER), "NANCY" 74 - of Northfield, passed away on Sunday April 25, 2010 while on vacation in Hawaii. She was born on September 25, 1935 in Atlantic City to John "Jack" and Kathryn Keebler. Nancy was raised in the Chelsea Heights section of Atlantic City. Nancy graduated from Holy Spirit High School in 1953. In September 1954 she married her "Honey Bun" Marty Friel. Their first child, a son, arrived the following June. They settled in Buzby Village to raise their family. After trying unsuccessfully for a daughter and trying and trying they wound up with six wonderful sons. When the youngest of their sons started school, Nancy decided to work even harder and got a job outside the home. Being that the hours and location were right, she began as a Teacher Aide/Secretary at the Chelsea Heights School. Her next job was in City Hall as a secretary in the V.I.P. Program. Her final move was to the Fire Prevention Bureau at States and Pacific Aves where she kept her other "Boys" straight. It was also there that she was coaxed into making a run for the Presidency of the Teamster Union. Thankfully this run was not successful. Nancy and Marty moved to Northfield in 1973 and could always be found in the stands at their sons baseball, football, and hockey games and crew and lifeguard races. This is where many strong and lasting friendships were formed. The grandkids began to arrive and Nancy LOVED that! She spread the love and advice freely and unconditionally. Most of the time you didn't have to ask for the advice. She was always doing for others and thinking of others before herself even though she had her own ailments. Nancy and Marty were enjoying their retirement. They took numerous trips with friends and family to Ireland, Mexico, Hawaii, and Florida. They got around closer to home, also, whether it was at the Crab Trap, the Owl Tree, or when they had their last date; dinner at the Library, and, after dinner drinks with their other "family" at the Tilton. That night, May 28, 2007, was when she lost the love of her life, Marty; lifted by the loving support of her family and friends she carried on. She still cooked like she was making a meal for an army. She made birthday dinners for sons, daughters-in-law, daughters-in-law to be and grandkids. Nancy Christmas shopped like her children were toddlers. She enjoyed her reunions in Absecon and her Friday lunches with her high school girlfriends. The travel slowed down but Nancy was visiting "paradise on earth" with her youngest son when she was called by the Lord to Heaven, her true paradise, and a reunion with her "Honey Bun". SLAINTE AND ALOHA ! Nancy is predeceased by her parents Jack and Kathryn Keebler, her brother Jack Keebler and husband Marty. She is survived by her sister Patricia (Rich) Andaloro, her sons Marty (Vicki Smith), Patrick (Bonnie Larsen), Tim (Sabina Walsh), Michael (Wendy), Buddy (Nancy), and Joey. She is also survived by her grandchildren Christy, Matt, Timmy, Ryan, Louise, Buddy, Nichol (Jaime), and Randi. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated 11:00am Monday, May 3, 2010, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, California and Atlantic Aves., Atlantic City. Friends may call from 9am at the Church. The Rite of Committal will be offered at Laurel Memorial Park in Pomona, following Mass. The family requests donations to be made to: The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Scholarship Fund c/o Patty Ferry 618 No. Suffolk Ave. Ventnor NJ 08406 or to The American Cancer Society Local Chapter. Arrangements by the Gormley Funeral Home LLC, AC.