Nancy Jane Engel of Christiana, PA died in her home on July 15, 2023, at the age of 64, after a seven and a half year battle with lung cancer. She was beloved as a wife, mother, grandmother (“Grams”), daughter, sister, and friend. Nancy was born on October 27, 1958 to Warren and Doris High in Bristol, PA. She graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School. Nancy enjoyed singing and playing the piano. At the end of high school, she was chosen to be a part of Choraleers, a traveling Christian singing group. During her time in this group, they had the opportunity to travel all over the US and Central America. Nancy met her husband, Jerry Engel, in the summer of 1980 while working as a camp counselor at Black Rock Retreat. They married the next year on April 12, 1981, and had three children: Nicholas Engel, Jessmin Snader (Engel), and Jordan Engel. During her children’s early school years, Nancy primarily worked as a homemaker, though she also worked part-time as a waitress, hostess, and homeschool teacher for her children. Continuing with her love of music, she sang on numerous worship teams and served as the worship leader for many years at her church. In later years, Nancy returned to work at Black Rock Retreat, where she held several positions including Road Scholar Coordinator and Programs Director. Nancy created and directed various programs and retreats at Black Rock, such as: Family Camp, Silent Sanctuary Retreat, Christmas Hymn Sing, and Open Houses. In January 2016,
Nancy was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. She underwent various treatments, including targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and radiation. Nancy endured her treatments with faith and hope, thankful for the time that she was given. She derived particular pleasure from interacting with her grandchildren (the “grands”) and watching them grow up. In addition to time with her family, Nancy loved the beach and spending quiet moments in her sunroom, built by Jerry, where she enjoyed watching birds and the view of her beautiful flowers. By June 2023, Nancy had exhausted all viable treatment options and entered hospice care. In her last month, she had final visits with her closest friends and family and died in the presence of her family. Till the end, Nancy was sustained by her Christian faith and the hope of the resurrection. Nancy is survived by her father Warren High; husband Jerry Engel; three children, Nicholas Engel of Philadelphia, Jessmin Snader (Engel), wife of Jared Snader of Willow Street, and Jordan Engel, husband of Becky Engel (Harper) of Lititz; six “grands”, Josiah Snader, Emma Snader, Titus Engel, Clara Engel, Judah Engel, Adrian Engel; her sister, Carol Dombach (High), wife of Darell Dombach of Willow Street; and countless in-laws, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Doris High (Deiter), and her brother, J. Marlin High. Strasburg Mennonite Church and their staff will be hosting a celebration of life service at Strasburg Mennonite Church, 1514 Village Road, Strasburg, PA, on Monday, July 31, at 2:00 p.m. Visitations will be held at Strasburg Mennonite Church on Sunday, July 30 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and again on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Nancy’s memory to Black Rock Retreat, 1345 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, PA. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shivery Funeral Home, Christiana & Paradise. Comments are closed.
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