Nancy Sylvia Waligora

Nancy Waligora, born in Detroit, Michigan on February 1, 1935 to the late John and Leaetta Knoblauch, passed away peacefully at Turning Brook Assisted Living Center in Alpena, Michigan on Sunday, October 4, 2020. She married Thomas E. Waligora on October 22, 1955. He preceded her in death on September 24, 2000.

Nancy was also preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mary Frances Hoefel, and Geraldine Meldrum.

Nancy and Tom moved from Farmington MI to Alpena County in 1968 with their children and established their home in the former Leer Standard School. Nancy was an amazing woman, who with Tom raised their children in the Christian faith. She gardened, canned, ran a successful roadside baked goods business during the summers and had a teddy bear making business. Later in life, Nancy worked at the Northland Library, providing Internet book transfer services throughout Michigan. She loved her work and retired at 71, then volunteered with Hospice of Alpena. Nancy loved to be outside watching birds and other wildlife.

Left to cherish Nancy’s memory are her children, Kathleen (Dennis) Grace,  Thomas, Joseph (Regi Bachochin), Ronald (Jill), Marifrances (Joe Nagy), Bruce (Leslie), Matthew (Summer Beauchamp Werth); 15 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; a brother, David (Lois) Knoblauch; two sisters, Dolores Spaulding and Joan (George) Washburn; brother-in-law, Jack Hoefel; nieces; nephews and many friends.

Visitation will take place at Bannan Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday at St. Anne Church of All Saints Parish at 2 p.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 3 p.m. with Rev. Joseph Muszkiewicz officiating.

Memorials: Hospice of Michigan