Obituary of Carmel Nancy Gerhart

C. Nancy Gerhart, age 97, a resident of Hatboro, PA and a former long-time resident of Jenkintown died June 18, 2017. She was the devoted wife of the late Paul Daniel Gerhart, for 54 years, until his death in 2006. Born in Revere, a small town in Fayette County, PA, she was the daughter of the late Luigi Gallo and Diodata Maio Gallo. Nancy graduated from high school in Dunbar Township, and went on to graduate from Mt. Sinai School of Nursing. She also earned a Master's of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She served in the US Navy from 1943 to 1953 and was stationed in California, Philadelphia, Charleston, SC, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, retiring to marry her husband, Paul. Nancy temporarily exited nursing to raise a family in the early 1960's. She revived her career a decade later, serving as a school nurse for the Philadelphia School District. She was an avid reader throughout her life, and along with her husband, Paul, learned about and collected antiques. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends as well as gardening. In 2003, she and Paul moved to the Ann's Choice Retirement Community. Never being one to sit still, she started up a bridge club with her new friends and learned to play pool. Throughout her life, she always enjoyed her family and anyone with whom she came into contact. She was insistent on having regular family reunions. She and her siblings were always thankful for their mother for keeping all seven children together and well cared-for. In Nancy's own words, "We all made it!" Nancy was a lifelong member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Jenkintown. She was both President and Vice President of the local PTA in the mid 70's. She was also a member of the Jenkintown American Legion as well as the Bux-Mont Women Veterans Association. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Anna Marie, and her by her brothers, Julius (Jules), Louis and John. She is survived by her sons, Mark D. Gerhart and his wife Anne of Jenkintown and Jonathan L. Gerhart of Jenkintown and Philadelphia. As well as by a large extended family. Relatives and friends will be received on Monday, June 26, 2017 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM, at Helweg & Rowland Funeral Home, 1059 Old York Road, Abington, PA. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, Grace Presbyterian Church, 444 Old York Road, Jenkintown, where relatives and friends will be received from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Interment in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery will be held privately. Memorial contributions may be sent to The Breathing Room Foundation, P.O. Box 287, Jenkintown, PA 19046 (www.breathingroomfoundation.org)