Obituary for Rosemary Nagl
Rosemary Nagl, of Perkasie, formerly of Philadelphia, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia. She was 76.
Born in Carroll, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Cecilia (Miller) Nagl. Rosemary completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa and later earned her post-doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Trained as a registered nurse, Rosemary had been employed at Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia for nearly 20 years.
She was the only nurse in a group of 20 volunteers during a 1990s journey to Honduras to accompany Salvadoran refugees being returned to their homes in El Salvador after their escape during the war. Profoundly shaped by this experience, Rosemary was inspired by the refugees’ determination, courage, hope, and yearning for freedom.
Since 1980, she had been an Associate of the Medical Mission Sisters and Associates, serving as a nurse and midwife in multiple locations. A member of the MMS music and liturgy team, she had also helped with the Hermitage Project and with computer and issues.
Rosemary’s deep faith, love of service, and total devotion to those in need were the touchstones of her life. As she noted, “I find myself committed and dedicated to a path which tells me that ‘my meaning’ is bound up in some way to the ‘religious.’ I understand this path to be one of a life dedicated to God through service.”
A gifted musician, artist, and seamstress, Rosemary was also an avid animal lover, caring for many cats and dogs over the years, especially Golden Retrievers. She was also an enthusiastic fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Confronted with grave physical challenges as a result of progressive arthritic and pulmonary conditions, Rosemary always had a loving and compassionate heart and spirit.
Rosemary is survived by her sister, Joan Kanne and her husband, Steve, of Carroll, IA; her friend and caregiver, Judith A. Leiby, of Perkasie; her MMS friends and colleagues; and the countless lives of those souls she ministered to with such love and care.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Nagl, and a sister, Barbara Frost.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at the Medical Mission Sisters Chapel at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rosemary’s name may be made to the Medical Mission Sisters and Associates, 8400 Pine Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
Born in Carroll, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Cecilia (Miller) Nagl. Rosemary completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa and later earned her post-doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Trained as a registered nurse, Rosemary had been employed at Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia for nearly 20 years.
She was the only nurse in a group of 20 volunteers during a 1990s journey to Honduras to accompany Salvadoran refugees being returned to their homes in El Salvador after their escape during the war. Profoundly shaped by this experience, Rosemary was inspired by the refugees’ determination, courage, hope, and yearning for freedom.
Since 1980, she had been an Associate of the Medical Mission Sisters and Associates, serving as a nurse and midwife in multiple locations. A member of the MMS music and liturgy team, she had also helped with the Hermitage Project and with computer and issues.
Rosemary’s deep faith, love of service, and total devotion to those in need were the touchstones of her life. As she noted, “I find myself committed and dedicated to a path which tells me that ‘my meaning’ is bound up in some way to the ‘religious.’ I understand this path to be one of a life dedicated to God through service.”
A gifted musician, artist, and seamstress, Rosemary was also an avid animal lover, caring for many cats and dogs over the years, especially Golden Retrievers. She was also an enthusiastic fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Confronted with grave physical challenges as a result of progressive arthritic and pulmonary conditions, Rosemary always had a loving and compassionate heart and spirit.
Rosemary is survived by her sister, Joan Kanne and her husband, Steve, of Carroll, IA; her friend and caregiver, Judith A. Leiby, of Perkasie; her MMS friends and colleagues; and the countless lives of those souls she ministered to with such love and care.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Nagl, and a sister, Barbara Frost.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at the Medical Mission Sisters Chapel at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rosemary’s name may be made to the Medical Mission Sisters and Associates, 8400 Pine Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111.