Nancy L. (Boland) Mills

Nov. 14, 1933 – May 30, 2019

Nancy L. Mills, 85, Duncansville, passed away early Thursday morning at UPMC Altoona.

She was born in Altoona, daughter of James Vernon and S. Katharyne (Sell) Boland. She dated her future husband, Robert W. “Bob” Mills, while they worked after school as teenagers at Benzel’s Pretzel Factory in East End. Nancy twisted pretzels on the assembly line and Bob loaded flour into the mixer. They married on Nov. 23, 1951, in Cumberland, Md.

Surviving are three daughters: Francene Calvert and husband, Jimmy, of Altoona, Diann Haire and husband, Denny, of Hollidaysburg and Sarah Miller and husband, Harry, of Duncansville; 14 grandchildren: the Smeltzer girls--Emily (Eric) McKee, Eve (Greg Neu) Hauser, Ellen (Dave) Sollars and Erin (Damian) Van Rossum; the Calvert boys—Jeremy (Jessica), Nicholas (Wendy) and Benjamin (Deanna); the Haire children—Stephen (Roseann), Michael (Heather), Rachel (Michael IV) Ebner and Joann (Ken) Major; and the Miller girls—Rochelle (Matt) Hoover, Jennifer (Ben) Riden and Stephanie (Bob) Onkst; 31 great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, William Smeltzer, of Hollidaysburg; two sisters: Donna Broyles of Christiansburg, Va., and Suzanne (Ned) Hatch of Tyrone; her in-laws: Verna Mills of Altoona, Thelma Mills of Clearwater, Fla., and Richard and Mary Ann Nardozza of Clearfield; several cousins; and many nieces and nephews of three generations.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, in 1993; and a daughter, Martha “Marti” Smeltzer, in 2017.

Nancy was a 1951 graduate of Altoona High School. She was an excellent seamstress who made clothing, including wedding gowns, and did alterations for others when her daughters were young. She made many beautiful clothes for her daughters, including concert gowns and wedding dresses. In the 1960s, she was among the first women to study carpentry at Altoona Vo-tech School evening classes, and she built kitchen cabinets for her long-time home in West Loop.

Nancy was a member of Abundant Life Assembly of God, Altoona, where she served as leader of Ladies Tea & Inspiration, taught adult Sunday school and prepared many banquets and funeral dinners for the congregation. She was presently moderating a Bible study at Cornerstone Personal Care Home, Claysburg.

Nancy successfully complete the Church of the Brethren reading course, where she and Bob prepared to become licensed ministers. They traveled extensively from coast to coast teaching the Word of God to many groups and individuals.

Throughout her life, Nancy was a vibrant, active woman. From serving as editor of her class yearbook in high school to involvement in P.T.A. and as a Girl Scout troop leader, she was well-known as a dependable volunteer. She loved yard sales and thrift stores, often finding furnishings for those in need of the treasures she gleaned.

Nancy learned patchwork and sewn quilting from her mother and carried on the tradition throughout her lifetime, producing many gift quilts for family and friends.

Nancy loved and served the Lord, and her greatest desire was that others would know Him as their Savior.

Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 2, 2019, at Myers-Somers Funeral Home Inc., 501 Sixth Ave., Altoona, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, June 3, 2019, at Abundant Life Assembly of God, 231 Howard Ave., Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday by the Rev. Walter Smith. Private interment will be at Blair Memorial Park, Antis Township.

Donations in memory of Nancy may be made to Abundant Life Assembly of God, 231 Howard Ave., Altoona, PA 16601.

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