The Life of Nancy B. Hartmire
Nancy Blessing Hartmire, age 83, formerly of Havertown, PA, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at the Harrisburg Hospital. Born September 9, 1934 in Upper Darby, PA she was the daughter of the late Charles E. and Elizabeth A. (Warner) Blessing. Nancy was preceded in death by her husbands Edward F. St. George, John M. Hartmire and by her sister, Margaret Reeves. She is survived by her daughter, Sandy B. St. George and her husband Louis J. Sauers of Mechanicsburg; a son, Steven E. St. George of Florida; as well as two grandchildren, Valerie E. Sauers of Bilboa, Spain and Zach L. Sauers of Los Angeles, CA. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Havertown for 57 years.
Nancy was a graduate of Upper Darby High School, Class of 1951. She loved cheerleading, pep club, jitterbug dancing, and was always true to her school. After graduation, she attended secretarial school and became what was known then as a “secretary,” to the editor of the Ladies Home Journal in Philadelphia. She took the subway and the “el” to her job and on Friday nights would take the train to her family’s summer rental in Ocean City, NJ.
Nancy married Edward F. St. George, Jr. (Bud) in 1955 under crossed-swords at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis when he graduated, before he became a Captain in the Air Force. Nancy and Bud were stationed in Arizona, where Sandy was born in 1956, and in South Carolina, where Steven was born in 1958. One of her greatest life experiences was when she won her dining room suite, washer, dryer, and refrigerator, along with a beautiful bracelet on “The Price is Right” while living in Las Vegas. Bud died flying his plane in the proving grounds in Las Vegas in 1961. Unknown to us until years later, he was one of 12 test pilots initially selected for the Gemini Mission.
Nancy and family were flown to her family home in Upper Darby, where she lived until she bought a home in Havertown and began to build a new life there. One of her friends from Upper Darby High School, John Hartmire, learned of her situation and contacted her to express condolences from New York City, where he was attending Union Theological Seminary. They married in Havertown, PA in 1965.
Nancy loved being outdoors everywhere. She especially loved the home she and John shared in Ocean City, NJ. There they enjoyed breakfasts at Captain Bob’s and dinners at Smitty’s Clam Bar and The Tuckahoe Inn. An avid and very competitive bridge player, she also enjoyed tennis, crossword puzzles and Sudoku, cardinal-watching, and…shopping! One of her favorite sayings was “A woman’s wardrobe is her life’s work.” She enjoyed dressing to the nines in the fifties with matching shoes, purses, gloves, and jewelry.
Nancy had a strong affinity to Switzerland, based on her love of “The Sound of Music.” She and John traveled there 6 times, and once to Paris. Edelweiss was a favorite as was the song. They also enjoyed travel to New England and visiting friends along the way.
Graveside service will take place 11:00 AM Friday, July 20th at Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Nancy to the Messiah Village Endowment Fund, 100 Mt. Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.