Nancy M. SMAIL, Galeton, PA, 1937 – 2026

It is with deep sorrow we announce that Nancy M. Smail passed away peacefully at age 88, at her daughter’s home in Somerset, New Jersey, on March 27, 2026, after a life rooted in family, faith, service, and kindness.

Nancy Margaret Schaeffer was the second of three children and only daughter of Howard and Velma Schaeffer of Leechburg, where Nancy grew up. After graduation from high school in 1955, she achieved her dream of becoming a registered nurse (RN) at a nearby program. Nancy soon married her high school sweetheart, Patrick “Pat” Smail, and they moved to Galeton in 1960, where Pat had accepted a teaching position at the high school. There they raised four children, Bruce, Tracey (daughter), Jeffrey, and Bradley. Nancy worked for many years as the Galeton school nurse until her retirement in 1993, and often said her favorite part of the job was “the kids.” Her kind heart and generous spirit enabled her to help others and serve generations of families. 

In retirement, she loved traveling and seeing her family, walking and visiting with friends, journaling, reading, card games, bingo, jigsaw and crossword puzzles. By 1997, she and Pat were “snowbirding” in Deming, New Mexico, where she volunteered at a local elementary school and with the Gem and Mineral Society. In Galeton, she served as a judge of election, volunteer at the local food bank, and a member of the Library’s Book Club.

After the loss of her beloved husband of 64 years, Nancy moved to New Jersey in 2022 to be with her daughter, Tracey, and resided in an assisted-living community known as Parker at Stonegate. She is survived by her four children; three daughters-in-law; a son-in-law; eleven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and younger brother, Larry Schaeffer of Hyde Park, PA. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her older brother, Fred Schaeffer of Concord, NC. Nancy and Pat will soon be laid to rest together in West Hill Cemetery, Galeton.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 23, 2026 in St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 45 Pine Street, Galeton, PA. A Nightingale Tribute will be conducted by the McKean County Nurse Honor Guard. Any nurse wishing to participate in the tribute may do so by wearing their scrubs, cap and optional cape. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Galeton Public Library, 5 Park Lane, Galeton, PA 16922. 

The family is being assisted by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.