Always known for her humor, smile and caring nature Nancy Louise Shingler, 81, of Garland, TX, died from a long-term illness on November 10, 2023 surrounded by family.
Nancy was born in Altoona, PA on July 20, 1942 to Bernard and Dorothy Porta, who loved her very much while also tolerating her many Jerry Lewis impressions at the dinner table. Nancy always valued family and friends and kept many friendships her whole life. Nancy would often speak lovingly of her childhood years. She graduated Altoona High School in 1960 before going to work at Buchanon Lumber as a bookkeeper. This taught her the value of a balanced checkbook as well as a dogged determination to do her best in her professional life that she carried with her on her career journey ending as an ESL teachers aid with Richardson ISD in Texas.
Nancy and her then husband Tom (married for 35 years) couldn’t wait to start a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them. Her daughter Debbie, and sons Doug and Jeff have very fond memories of growing up in Pittsburgh. And when Tom was transferred for work to San Diego, CA, in 1985, it was at first a culture shock, but the family quickly adapted. There was also a third and final move to Garland, Texas, in 1987, where Nancy would live out the rest of her years. And even through all these moves she remained a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Though she loved neighborhood parties, meeting up with friends, and baking her amazingly good chocolate chip cookies, Nancy’s favorite role was that of a grandmother. She treasured her time with the grandkids and loved being their “Maw Maw”, never failing to attend their soccer games or just sit with them and talk about their days and interests.
Nancy had a soft spot for her fur babies, treating each one like the valuable family member they were. From Randy to Chelsea to Ginger and even her grandpuppies Max, Clancy, Maggie and Molly, she loved spending time with them and spoiling them with treats, kisses and, for the smaller dogs, letting them even sleep on the back of the couch.
Nancy was an active member of St. John Neuman Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, PA, devoting her time and energy to being a eucharistic minister and making sure the family went to church every Sunday as well as attending CCD.
Everyone who knew Nancy knows how much she loved several hobbies which included crossword puzzles, TV Shows (Carol Burnett Show, Matlock, Murder She Wrote, Monk), Movies (Mel Brooks, Steve Martin, Vacation and Airplane) and Music (Motown, a lot of 80s songs, certain catchy tunes that her son Doug would make her listen to).
Nancy will always be remembered for her humor, laughter and positive spirit and the way that she made someone’s day immediately better just by being her sweet self. We’ll always imagine hearing her reciting Vacation movie lines one more time. We couldn’t have asked for a better mom/grandma, and we will miss her every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her, which is a countless many.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Dorothy Porta; sister, Carole Treese; and brother, Mike Porta, and is survived by her loving daughter, Debbie Bauer (husband, Brendan) of Frisco, Texas; her son, Doug Shingler (wife, Laura) of Dallas, Texas and son, Jeff Shingler (wife, Rebecca) of Allen, Texas; grandchildren, Landen Gould, Cassie and Colin Bauer; and a host of other family and friends who were touched by her kindness and love.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 1, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8000 Eldorado Parkway, Frisco, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas.