Nancy M. Depaul

Nancy Mae DePaul, 90, of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born on May 28, 1931 in Berwick, PA to Margaret (Doty) and Arthur McHenry. “Reds” grew up in Berwick skipping stones with her three brothers and sister, and marching in the band at Berwick Area High School where she graduated with honors in 1949. In 1951, she married her husband of 55 years, Bernard J. DePaul, and two years later, she gave birth to their first son. Nancy and “Bernie” raised their eight children together in Pennsylvania until 1978 when they moved to Arcadia, Florida. Bernie was the DeSoto County High School Principal and Nancy served as the Administrative Assistant for the Attendance Office and Athletic Department. From 1979 to 1997, students at DeSoto High remember her signature red hair flashing through the halls as she pulled attendance slips off the classroom doors and asked, “Where is your hall pass?” Nancy was known for her compassion and concern for students, always available to listen and identify resources to help. Countless athletes attribute their academic success to Nancy’s encouragement. She fearlessly advocated for them; contacting colleges about promising athletes and helping them with their college applications.


Nancy loved the Lord. She attended a variety of Christian churches in her youth, and converted to Catholicism soon after her engagement. Nancy contributed to the faith communities at every Catholic Church the family attended; St Mary’s in Berwick, St Paul’s in Arcadia, St Charles’ Borromeo in Port Charlotte, and Our Lady of Grace in Palm Bay. Parishioners devoured her baked beans at potlucks, and her flower arrangements and artwork adorned churches throughout the years. Nancy felt closest to our Lord when she was out in nature; planting in the garden, painting landscapes, searching for seashells at the beach, walking the trails at the family farm in Benton, PA, all while humming “In the Garden” or “How Great Thou Art.” Together, Nancy and Bernie, inspired their children to love God’s creations and carry the Lord in their hearts.


Above all, Nancy will be remembered as a devoted mother and grandmother who never slept. She cooked incessantly to feed three football players, sewed clothes, canned fruits and vegetables, helped with essays and art projects, and listened to hours of squawking saxophones and dissonant cords on the piano. Her children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren will remember her most when they see a butterfly, an orchid, or a rainbow, hear Andrea Bocelli or a bird’s joyful song, smell lasagna or cherry cake baking, and feel her love from above.


Nancy has been reunited with her husband, Bernard J. DePaul, Sr., son, Santi (Diane) DePaul, her mother, father, three brothers, aunts, uncles, and dear friends. She is survived by her sister, Helen Manning, seven of her children, Bernard (Rhona) DePaul, Jr., Kathleen (Craig) Miller, David (Carol) DePaul, Lisa (Ted) Fuss, Carolyn (Meer Almeer) Washburn, Nannette DePaul, and Anne Marie DePaul Haddock; nine grandchildren, Carlee Washburn Jackson, Kyle (Kasey) Washburn, Erin (Dash) Verstegen, David (Elizabeth) Fuss, Andrew Fuss, Thomas Fuss, Franklin DePaul, Alexander DePaul, and Bryce Haddock; nine great-grandchildren, Camryn Jackson, Linzy Jackson, Eric Masten, Hunter Rebis, Benjamin Washburn, Hailey Washburn, Brock Verstegen, Archer Verstegen, and Cooper Verstegen.


A Funeral Mass will be offered for Nancy at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda, FL on Saturday, February 19th at 11:00am.


The next day, Sunday, February 20th, family and friends are welcome to gather again from 1:00pm-4:00pm for a Celebration of Life in the Crown Room at the Kings Gate Golf Club in Punta Gorda.


Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy’s name to Ronald McDonald House Charities (www.rmhc.org) or The Epilepsy Foundation (www.epilepsyfoundationfl.com).