Nancy J. Szewczak

Nancy Jane (Peterman) Szewczak passed away peacefully at her home in Phoenixville, PA on Saturday, July 27, following a four-year journey with cancer. She was 72 years old.

Nancy was born to the late Harry and Margaret (Craner) Peterman on April 18, 1952. A lifelong Catholic, she was a graduate of Lansdale Catholic High School and earned an associate’s degree from Gwynedd Mercy College. She worked as a registered nurse at a nursing home in Lansdale, then at the former Montgomery Hospital in Norristown. She married Mark Szewczak on August 9, 1975. Following their wedding, they moved to Stewartsville, NJ where she worked at Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, then became a full-time homemaker as they raised their family. In 1999, they relocated to Phoenixville, her mother’s childhood hometown.

Nancy always adored reading and cherished a quiet hour with a book; fittingly, she met her future husband in high school during her volunteer shift at the North Wales Public Library. She enjoyed music, especially the American folk music popular during her teens and early adulthood, and loved to sing. She was a talented seamstress who made her own prom and wedding dresses, clothing for her children and their toys, and discovered a particular love of quilting once her nest was empty. She was known for her wit and sense of humor and loved a silly joke. A former Girl Scout, she seemed to have a knack for any craft she set her hand to, and was always thoughtful, practical, and highly prepared for any situation. Nancy loved the beach and especially enjoyed summer vacations in Cape May.

Nancy was an active member of the parish of St. Ann Church in Phoenixville. She had a special devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux and practiced the “little way” of quiet acts of charity and love in her daily life.

Nancy is now reunited with her parents and late brother and sister-in-law, Robert Sr. and Eileen Peterman. She is survived by her loving husband, Deacon Mark Szewczak; children Carolyn (Doug) Polgardy, Stephen, and Melanie (Ryan) Oestreich; granddaughter Kaylee; siblings, Kevin Peterman and Kathleen Schilling; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A viewing will be held at Devlin-Gatcha Funeral Home, 517 Main Street, Phoenixville, PA on Wednesday, July 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. A morning viewing will be held in St. Ann Chapel, 604 Main Street, Phoenixville, PA on Thursday, August 1 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., with internment at St. Ann Cemetery immediately following Mass.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nancy's name may be given to Holy Family School, 221 Third Avenue, Phoenixville, PA  19460.  https://myholyfamilyschool.org/annual-fund or to Penn Medicine Hospice, 150 Monument Road, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA  19004.