Nancy B. (Santaspirit) Michalowski

Nancy Birdella (Santaspirit) Michalowski, age 84, formerly of Montrose Manor, went home to God on Saturday, August 17, 2024. She was the widow of Raymond Michalowski, Sr. who went home to God on November 26, 2011. Ray was the love of her life for 51 years. He was her partner and best friend. Nancy was born to the late Michael John and Katharine May (Reazor) Santaspirit. She is survived by her 3 children, Raymond, Jr., JoLynn, and John A. and his wife Stacey. Along with her 3 grandchildren, Briel, Tasha, Kerry, and his wife Karen, plus 3 great grandchildren, Savannah, Andrew, Joseph III along with 2 step grandchildren, Morgan and Jake. Also surviving are 2 sisters, Ann (Santaspirit) Ponis and Lori (Santaspirit) Torcivia along with several nieces and nephews, and several cousins who were like brothers and sisters to her.

In 1957, she became a graduate of Central Catholic High School and started her career working for Bell Telephone Company as a long-distance telephone operator. Her employment consisted of being a Medical Assistant to the late John J. Buckley, M.D., Assistant Branch Manager for PSFS in Shillington, and last working as an Office Manager for Signature Sign, Inc. Her enjoyment with children included her watching and teaching them in her home as a Day Care Mother. She liked challenges and working with numbers which made her being a tax preparer, bookkeeper, and payroll clerk in her jobs.

She was involved in the Boy Scouts of America, as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, Troop 237 of Shillington, and then became involved in the adult group of scouting, with the Catholic Committee on Scouting, working with the Boy Scouts to receive their religious awards.

When her husband became active in the Knights of Columbus, Council 7179, she worked along side of him running the bingo to help raise money for the local charities, to cook and server meals to the homeless and needy, plus a volunteer in the K of C food stand at Shillington Community Days.

Nancy enjoyed being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to her family. She enjoyed roller skating, dancing – especially the polka’s, cooking and baking, crocheting since the age of 8 years old, was an avid reader, and playing bingo. She was a member of St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church in Shillington. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, in the Chapel of Resurrection, Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Road, Reading, at 11:00am. Reverend Edward J. Essig to celebrate. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 9:15am to 10:15am in Bean Funeral Homes, 3825 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring. At the request of Nancy and the family, in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood Convent, 1094 Welsh Road, Shillington, PA 19607 and/or to Mary’s Shelter, 615 Kenhorst Blvd., Reading, PA 19611. Bean Funeral Homes, Sinking Spring is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.