Nancy Eleanor Hanel, of Bremen, passed away Nov. 10 at the Kline Hospice House in Mount Airy, Md., having returned to her native Maryland to be with family.
Born Nancy Thomas in 1935, she attended Nurses Training at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston, Mass., afterwards returning to Maryland to work tirelessly as a public health nurse in Montgomery County. She traveled through rural farmland attending to the medical needs of impoverished families, migrant workers, and tenant farmers. She saved and improved the lives of hundreds of individuals, and spearheaded immunization programs throughout the region.
Nancy married Everett Hanel Jr. in 1973 and became a stay-at-home mother to their two daughters. The family enjoyed spending summers at their house in Bremen, where Nancy spent the last nine years as a fulltime resident.
Nancy was a talented artist; a painter and woodcarver whose often mystical and religious subjects reflected her deeply rooted faith. She volunteered her talents in numerous ways at her local parish.
She was preceded in death by husband, Everett; and sister, Jean Moore.
She is survived by daughters, Elizabeth and Alice (James); granddaughter, Cecilia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wed., Nov. 16 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 18230 Barnesville Rd., Barnesville, MD 20838.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in her name may be made to All Saints Parish’s “Founded on Faith Building the Future” Campaign, 132 McKeen St., Brunswick, ME 04011.
Arrangements by Hilton Funeral Home, Barnesville, Md., hiltonfh.com.