Nancy Russell McDade passed away on November 11, 2015 surrounded by loving family.   She was born in Beaver Falls, PA and grew up in New Galilee, PA.  Nancy graduated from Beaver Falls High School and Geneva College.  She did graduate work at Marquette University and earned a Masters in Reading and a Masters in Supervision and Administration from Syracuse University.  Her teaching career was wide and varied having taught in rural, small town, large suburbs and on a Navaho Indian Reservation. She spent most of her career teaching in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District.  She was selected as an Outstanding Teacher of America in 1974.   Nancy also served 10 years as a 4-H leader and was active with youth in the churches and towns in which she resided.
Nancy was interested in history and genealogy.  Encouraged by her mother, she was involved with the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of 1812, and was also a member of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania.  She was a member of the First Families of Western Pennsylvania, the Manlius Historical Society and the Manlius Methodist Church. She enjoyed spending her time quilting, gardening, playing bridge and volunteer work.
She was predeceased by her parents,  Lee and Mary Russell, sisters Patricia Jarvela and Joyce Smith, her son-in-law Scott MacKnight, her nephew David Smith, her brother-in-law John Smith and her husband of 53 years, George McDade.  Her joy in life was her children and grandchildren.  She is survived by daughters Kelly (Steve) Roach, Karen MacKnight, Kristen (Michael) Watral and Kerry (James) Gardner.  Surviving also are her grandchildren, Joshua and Amanda Roach, Riley and Mark MacKnight, Noah, Kate and Kara Watral, and Nathan and Lindsey Gardner.
Family and friends may call from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Saturday, November 21 at Newell-Fay Manlius Chapel, 8171 Cazenovia Rd., Manlius. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 22 at 3:00 pm at the SUNDAY, November 22 at the Manlius United Methodist Church, Pleasant St., Manlius.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wanderer's Rest, P.O. Box 535, Canastota, NY 13032.

To view or leave a condolence. Please visit our Condolences Page.