Nancy C. Schlegel

Nancy D. (Canova) Schlegel, 97, of Gilbert, AZ, formerly of Lower Macungie Township, PA, passed away on February 15, 2026 at home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Richard H. Schlegel, who passed away after 35 years of marriage in November 1986. Born in Allentown in 1928, Nancy was the daughter of the late Hector B. and Linda (Magliola) Canova. She attended Allentown High School and graduated from Kent Place School in Summit, NJ. She received a BA from Connecticut College for Women in 1950. Nancy had a fulfilling life as a homemaker, raising four children and assisting her husband in the businesses they owned. Before getting married she worked as a buyer at Hess’s Department Store in Allentown for a short time. After her children were out of the house, she worked as an unemployment interviewer for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for 14 years, retiring in 2000. Nancy loved her family above all, but she also enjoyed spending time with her friends, be it getting together for morning coffee or playing her favorite game — Mahjongg. She spent the last 4 1/2 years of her life living with her daughter Tina in Arizona, where she loved looking out the window at the sunny days and blue skies. Nancy greatly appreciated and her family will be forever grateful for the compassionate care she received from Hospice over her final 9 months. Nancy was a founding member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where she was a Eucharistic Minister, a member of Chi Rho, and a volunteer in the rectory. She was always faithful to her Prayer Group and small Faith Group. Nancy’s way of staying connected with her Prayer Sisters was through weekly zoom meetings. Nancy is survived by two sons, Tom Schlegel (Mary Ann), and Rick Schlegel (Deirdre); two daughters, Tina Dottery, and Sally Luginbuhl; seven grandchildren, Jodi Voelker (Ben), Erin Ammary (Jason), Mary Luginbuhl, Molly Luginbuhl, Luke Schlegel (Veronica), Sophie Schlegel, and Nick Schlegel (Maria). Nancy also had seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tara Dottery; a son-in-law, Forrest Dottery; and a sister, Helen Neuweiler. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown. A calling hour will precede the service from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. Interment will be at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem. Arrangements by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Nancy’s memory to St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown, PA 18103