Nancy Neal, 71

Nancy P. Neal, age 71 of Mendon, died Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo where she had been a patient for 4 days.  She was born in Three Rivers on March 14, 1938 the daughter of the late Roland and Audrey (Whited) Pritchard and was a lifetime resident of this area.  Nancy graduated from Three Rivers High School, and later from Michigan State University where she received her Masters Degree in Childhood Education.  She also attended Western Michigan University while working toward her Doctorate Degree. 

Nancy was a teacher in the Portage School system for 39 years, mostly at the Angling Road School.  Her specialty was reading program development, and she was a consultant for Amish Schools and Home School programs.  In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, cooking, fishing, and flower arranging.  She had an appreciation for all kinds of music, and was a Cantor at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon.

Nancy was married to her long time friend, John Neal on March 25, 1995 in St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon.  He survives along with 2 aunts, Pauline Christensen of Lansing and Marie Storey (Glenn) of Three Rivers; and uncle, Robert Pritchard (Kay) of Tennessee; and cousins Linda Browning of Lansing, Sandra Sandberg of Gawen, Cathy Patterson of Greenville, and Susanne Cudney of Lansing.

Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon where the Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Friday.  The funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2009 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon with Rev. Father Richard Altine officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Edward Cemetery.  Memorials will be directed to the St. Edward Catholic Church Preservation Fund.