Mildred S. Nagele

WAYNE, Pa. Mildred S. Nagele, of Wayne, Pa. and Niskayuna, N.Y. and formerly of Jeffersonville, Pa., passed away at home on Saturday, March 19, 2005. Mrs. Nagele was born on November 27, 1911 at home on Bonsal Street in Philadelphia in the shadow of Shibe Park, later known as Connie Mack Stadium. She was the younger daughter of Peter and Anna Marie (Joest) Spang, who emigrated from Germany in 1900 and 1901 respectively. As an infant, Mrs. Nagele was baptized in Cape May, N.J. As a young child, along with her mother, Mrs. Nagele traveled to Germany to attend the weddings of her cousins, spending one year visiting relatives before returning on the Mount Clay to the United States through Ellis Island in 1921. She excelled in gymnastics during her teen years while living in Roxborough and was awarded the Diploma of Honor of the American Gymnastic Union by the Germania Turn-Verein of Roxborough and Manayunk in 1925 and 1926. As a young woman, she attended business school and completed training as a hairdresser. She served as a nanny in Queens, N.Y. and assisted the pastor's family of St Mark's Lutheran Church in Conshohocken, Pa., where she met her husband. She also worked for the telephone company for a time and for the recorder of deeds in Montgomery County, Pa. During her adult life, she was very active in the Order of St. Luke, a lay ministry of the Episcopal Church focusing on spiritual healing. She also enjoyed writing poetry and extensive self-education through reading. This led to fluent conversations with college professors and Biblical scholars. For many years, she enjoyed hosting regular prayer and Bible study meetings in her home, and she facilitated a similar group which met on Sunday afternoons. She opened her home to the Cameron Family Singers when they performed at the Eastern University campus and she supported many Christian ministries. Closely matching her devotion to God was Mrs. Nagele's devotion to her family. Married on December 17, 1938, she was predeceased by her husband of more than 50 years, William A. Nagele Jr. She raised two children, Paul W. Nagele of Niskayuna, N.Y. and Christine M. Palmer (wife of Richard J.) of Audubon, Pa. She provided loving support to her three grandchildren, Stephen Christopher Palmer (husband of Lisa Krupinski) of West Chester, Pa., Jennifer Lynne Palmer, also of Audubon, Pa., and David Jeffrey Palmer of Brooklyn, N.Y. She was most fortunate to have bonded with and enjoyed two great-grandchildren, Christopher Michael and Brieanna Elizabeth. She is also survived by a niece, Marinetta Reese (wife of George) of Trappe, Pa., who was in contact almost daily, and by a great-niece, Dolly Toms (wife of Kevin) of Elverson, Pa. Throughout her lifetime and continuing into her later years, even as she became more limited in her travels, Mrs. Nagele still provided a positive influence in the lives of many people with whom she came in contact. She especially enjoyed the new friends she made while spending several months each year in Schenectady over the past 15 years. During her last year, Mrs. Nagele's independence and day-to-day life were greatly enhanced by the loving assistance of her caregiver, Jumah Dorley of Coatesville. Services were held at the Green Tree Church of the Brethren in Oaks, Pa. on March 24. Interment followed in the Green Tree Church Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the Faith United Methodist Church of Schenectady, on the corner of Brandywine and Eastern Avenues, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 23. In lieu of flowers, gifts designated in memory of Mildred S. Nagele may be sent to Operation Blessing International, Attn.: Living Tribute Department, 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463. Arrangements by Alleva Funeral Home, Inc., Paoli, Pa.