Nancy Hesser (Gates) Greenleaf

November 27, 1929 –January 25, 2024

Nancy Hesser (Gates) Greenleaf, 94, of Hollidaysburg, formerly of State College and Altoona, passed away Thursday at Garvey Manor. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Lawrence and Isabelle (Luther) Hesser.

She married James R. Gates on September 9, 1950 and they brought five beautiful children into the world. Surviving are four children: Elizabeth A. Whitco (David) of North Apollo; Mark E. Gates (Claudia) of Silver Spring, MD; John N. Gates (Regina) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and David W. Gates (Sherri) of Ellicott City, MD; nine grandchildren: Travis Whitco (Emily), Christin Testa (Simon), Tyler Gates, Jesse Gates (Kerri), Julie Good (Daniel), Jaclyn Gates, Amanda Gates, Zachary Gates, and Emily Gates; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She married Frank C. Greenleaf on May 9, 1981 in Centre Hall, PA. He preceded her in death on October 4, 2022. She was also preceded in death by her infant son James L. Gates; her three brothers: Lawrence Hesser Jr., Matthew Hesser Sr., and Joseph Hesser, as well as their wives.

Nancy was a 1947 graduate of Altoona Catholic High School.

She was employed and retired from Hesser Brothers, Inc. as the manager of their wholesale kitchen which produced all the deli foods for their regional chain of Country Garden Markets. She worked for and retired from the Pennsylvania State University in their food services facilities where she helped feed and became one of the biggest fans of the Penn State football team. She was employed by Kaufman’s Department Store in State College and was a lunch lady at the State College High School.

She held many volunteer positions at both St. Therese’s Catholic Church in Altoona and Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in State College including being an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, singing in the bereavement choir, and participating in the Legion of Mary.

Nancy was born one month following the stock market crash of 1929. She was raised during the Great Depression and came of age during WWII. She seamlessly juggled the demands of her professional life while meeting the challenges of raising her family and still managed to look like one of Hollywood’s gilded stars. She was truly one of the greatest of the Greatest Generation.

Friends will be received from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 at The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Fr. Lubomir Strecok presiding. Committal will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Altoona.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Nancy’s memory to Garvey Manor Nursing Home, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, located at: 1037 S. Logan Blvd, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 where she received excellent care for the past five years.

Condolences can be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.