Vangorp, Marcella "Sally"

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• Obituary: 3 Nov 2014; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Marcella "Sally" Pendergast January 8, 1921 - November 1, 2014
The fourth of nine children, Sally was born to Simon and Clara (Mollen) VanGorp in Appleton. She graduated from Appleton High School in 1938. Sally worked in her family's Van Gorp Bakery in downtown Appleton, which was later known as the Tastee Bakery. On December 10, 1939 she was united in marriage to C.R. "Bud" Pendergast with whom she shared 45 years. They raised a family of 5 children living in Neenah and Appleton. Sally was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church throughout her life. For over 65 years she was also a dedicated Girl Scout and Girl Scout leader. She served as a troop leader for both her younger sisters Catherine and Pet as well as her three daughters. Sally also received the St. Annne medal which is the highest national recognition for adults who serve Catholic youth in Girl Scouts. Not an "outdoors person" herself, Sally instilled a love of adventure, camping and nature into dozens of young girls throughout the Fox River Valley. In the early 1950's Sally and Bud opened Pendergast Furniture Co. in Neenah and then in 1959 The Sleep Shop Mattress Factory in Appleton, the family business that she helped build and operate, even in semi-retirement. Sally was also the family record keeper, maintaining and distributing a regularly updated calendar of vital family statistics.
Sally was preceded in death by her husband and parents; daughter Mary Mueller; sisters: Little Catherine VanGorp (in childhood), Dorothy Kiley, Elizabeth Bradley, and Marguerite VanGorp; brothers: Eugene VanGorp and Roman VanGorp; sisters-in-law: Olive Dunsirn and Edna VanGorp; and brothers-in-law: G.W. Kiley, John VandenHeuvel, John H. Bradley and Benedict Meixl.
She is survived by daughters: Ann (James) McCormick, Jensen Beach, FL and Susan (Shawn) Malette, Thousand Palms, CA; sons: Daniel (Barbara) Pendergast, Menasha and Thomas (Jane) Pendergast, Kimberly; grandchildren: Stephanie McCormick, Michelle (Kosar) Jaff, Dawn (Robert) Watson, Steven Mueller, Amy (Joe) Wiesner, Katie (Tommy) Gimler, John (Erica) Pendergast, Anita (Leland) Barlament, Brian (Tara) Pendergast, Abby Pendergast, Dan Pendergast, Jonathan Malette, Kaitlin Malette and Nicole Malette; great grandchildren: Cole Mueller, Elizabeth Mueller, Sally Watson, Evin Jaff, Arin Jaff, Miguel Barlament, Lilly Barlament, Maggie Wiesner, Carter Pendergast, Hudson Pendergast and Natalie Pendergast; Sisters: Catherine Meixl and Petronella VandenHeuvel; sister-in-law Jacquelyn VanGorp; Niece Carol Brantmeier and many more nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Appleton with Rev. William Swichtenberg officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Appleton. Friends may visit the family Wednesday from 6-8 PM at the Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel and also Thursday directly at church from 9 AM until the time of Mass.
Our Family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Carol Brantmeier, the caregivers at the Heritage, and the wonderful staff at Hospice care. Words cannot express our thanks for the care and compassion you showed to our Mother.
Sally's strong catholic faith guided her through 93.7 wonderful years of life; she was a remarkable woman who had a positive influence on everyone. She was also very proud of her Dutch Heritage, "If you Aint Dutch, You Aint Much".

Marcella married Pendergast, Colon R. 10 Dec 1939. Colon (son of Pendergast, Edward J. and Diedrick, Emma) was born 11 Dec 1918, Kaukauna, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; died 5 May 1985; was buried , St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Appleton, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]