Jeannette Nettie Atkins-Skadeland

Nettie was born April 7, 1939 in Philadelphia, PA to Guido James and Pearl Calderelli. The family moved to Martin’s Beach in Willingboro, NJ where Nettie attended Mt. Holly Regional Catholic School and graduated in 1956 from Burlington High School, where she participated in many clubs and activities and especially enjoyed being a cheerleader. 

After graduation, Nettie worked at Strawbridge and Clothier in Philadelphia, PA as a window designer. She also worked as a secretary in the Physics Lab of the Rohm and Haas Company in Bristol, PA, before taking a position as a Building Manager for the City of Philadelphia. She continued her Building Manager career for more than 15 years at the Flynn Company in Valley Forge Park Place until her retirement.

Nettie married Tom (the love of her life) on Valentine’s Day in 1989. They built their home on the Schuylkill River in Norristown, PA where they shared the love of the water, their great danes, picnicking on the deck, and slumber parties with the grandchildren. Nanny Nettie will always be remembered by her grandkids for her signature meatballs, Magic Shell chocolate topping and repeat viewings of movies like Rocket Gibraltar and Chicago.

While living on the river’s edge for 30 plus years, Nettie and Tom enjoyed nature’s seasonal wonders at arm’s reach until failing health separated them.Nettie went into the hospital during Covid and eventually to the Norriton Square Nursing and Rehab Center and Tom eventually became her roommate until his death on October 3, 2021, at the age of 82.

Nettie was an avid reader, gardener and craftsperson. She made lovely wreaths and arrangements and her homemade cookie trays at Christmas time were always a delight for her family, friends and neighbors.

Nettie is survived by her sister and best friend Joey Matthews, Columbus, NJ and cousins Barbara Schaeffer, Mt. Ephraim, NJ, Irene Black, Coopersburg, PA, Rosemarie Argetsinger, Charlotte Crighton and Richard Sisca all of Wilmington, DE and Tom’s children; daughter, Patricia Luetzen, Polson, MT, and her children Danielle (Carter) Rowney, great grandsons Anders and Brooks, and Kent Luetzen; daughter Paula (Richard) Blake, Hagerstown, MD and their children Thomas, Nicholas and Andrew; son Daniel (Kathy) Skadeland, Phoenixville, PA, and his daughter Samantha; and daughter Peggy (Hank) Julicher, Phoenixville, PA and their children Alexis (JJ) Hennessy, great grandsons Jeremiah and Asher, and Brooke (Mike) Linn, great granddaughter Eleanor and Kyle, Nicole and Chase Julicher. 

Nettie is preceded in death by her parents, Guido James and Pearl Calderelli, her brother-in-law Paul (Joey) Matthews and her cousin Mike Chromiak.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. An online guest book is available on the Volpe Funeral Home website in Norristown, PA. Please share memories to celebrate Nettie’s life.

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