MENCEL, Sr. Nancy S., S.N.D. Sr. Nancy S. Mencel, S.N.D. (Sr. Helen Michael) died on Thursday, January 1, 2009 after a long struggle with ALS. Born in Bridgeport on June 14, 1940, the daughter of Michael J. and Helen V. (Stoffan) Mencel, Sr. Nancy entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1964. A graduate of St. Cyril Academy in Danville, PA and of Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, she received her M.S. in education from the University of Bridgeport and an M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language from St. Michael College in Vermont. Early in her teaching career, Sr. Nancy taught in New Canaan and at both Notre Dame and St. Bernard's High Schools in Norwich. In 1972 she and Sr. Karen Coakley began the Oakwood Knoll Learning Center in Norwich, where they provided a variety of educational and social programs for adults and children. In the 1990's Sr. Nancy served as principal of St. Michael School in Montpelier, Vermont. A creative and gifted teacher, she later taught at Trust House in Hartford and in the Vernon Regional Adult Education Program. In 1995 she received their William Perry Award for Excellence in Teaching. Sr. Nancy was deeply interested in her Slovakian heritage and for several summers had the opportunity to travel, study, and teach in Slovakia, earning several awards and grants including the Matica Slovenska (Akademica Slovaca) in 1991 and the Masaryk Fellowship in 1994. Sr. Nancy leaves several aunts, uncles and cousins and her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The family and the Sisters of Notre Dame are deeply grateful to those who cared for her at the Subacute Center of Bristol and during her many hospital stays. Carmon Windsor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The wake will be at St. Isaac Jogues Church, 1 Community Street, East Hartford, CT on Monday, January 5 from 3-6 p.m. The Mass of Resurrection will follow at 6 p.m. Burial will be on Tuesday, January 6 at 10 at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield. Gifts in memory of Sr. Nancy Mencel can be made to The Sisters of Notre Dame at 468 Poquonock Avenue, Windsor, CT, 06095.