Nancy L. Mast

Nancy Louise Noll Mast, 71, of Rohrerstown, PA died peacefully on June 19, 2015 at Hospice & Community Care, Mount Joy, PA

She was the daughter of Robert B. and the late Verna (Widders) Noll of Rohrerstown, PA.

Nancy was a graduate of Hempfield High School and then went to Eastern Mennonite College where she met and married her college sweetheart, Joseph W. Mast, and would have celebrated their 50th Anniversary on June 19.

She continued her undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, graduating in 1967 and then later receiving a Masters in Education from James Madison University in 1981.  She completed the graduate course work needed to meet the Supervision/Administration state endorsement requirements in 1991.  She also qualified for the reading specialist endorsement.

Her passion was teaching, fostering a life long love of learning.   She began teaching college English classes then switched to early childhood education, teaching kindergarten for 16 years, first at Keezeltown Elementary and then at Lacey Spring Elementary.  She continued her career in administration serving as the supervisor of remedial education, Title I coordinator, and ESL.  She also started an at-risk preschool program with classes in each elementary school. She eventually became the Director of K-12 English for Rockingham County Public Schools.  Even before she moved back to PA she was recruited to be the Reading First Technical Assistant serving with six schools in the City of Lancaster.  She spent five years as a consultant with Learning Sciences International. The past several years Nancy worked part time as a receptionist at Homestead Village.

Nancy was repeatedly recognized as an expert in education, both in the classroom and as an administrator, and served as a mentor for many other teachers.  She was a positive influence on many lives, both young and old.

Nancy was very active in her church, first at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church in Virginia, and more recently at Mellinger Mennonite Church in Lancaster. There she was a member of the Circle of Love class and was instrumental in planning many class activities including several class retreats.  She played both the organ and piano and particularly enjoyed singing.  She was a member of the Valley Table Singers from Harrisonburg, VA.

Nancy loved to travel, cook, garden, take pictures, sew, crochet and spend time with family.  She was known for her hospitality. In addition to her husband, Joseph, she will be lovingly remembered by her children, Brian married to Karen (Krause) Mast, Lancaster; and Darrell married to Lisa (Zimmerman) Mast, Lancaster; Her grandchildren, Timothy, Lauren, Kristen, Adam, Aaron and Alexander Mast;  Her sister, Mary Ann (Noll) Lyday married to Dennis Lyday; her sister, Alice (Noll) Harder married to Daniel Harder and her brother C. Robert Noll married to Darlene (Gerlach) Noll; and her father Robert B. Noll.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service for Nancy on Friday, June 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Mellinger Mennonite Church, 1916 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA. Visitation will be Thursday June 25, from 6-8 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Nancy’s name may be made to the Rockingham Educational Foundation Inc, 100 Mount Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg VA 22802 or Hospice & Community Care, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy PA 17552.