EAST BERNE — Matilda Mary Nicklas Nagengast “entered eternal life on Saturday, Feb, 6, 2021,” her family wrote in a tribute.  She was 95.

 “Family and faith were a constant strength in her life,” the tribute said.

Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late George and Matilda Wilpers Nicklas.

“Tilli graduated from Vincentian Institute.,” her family wrote. “Before marrying the love of her life, Bernard C. Nagengast, in 1947, she worked as a claims insurance secretary. Bernie and Tilli remained devoted to one another for 62 years, only ending with his passing in 2009.”

Throughout the years, she had briefly served on the board of directors for the Albany Child Guidance Center and Parsons Child and Family Center.  For 27 years she served on the board of directors for Rehabilitation Support Services, retiring in 2006.

After moving to East Berne in 1973, she became a devoted member of St. Bernadette’s Church in Berne, serving at different times as a teacher of Catholic Education, as Eucharistic Minister, and as Parish Council President. She also was a 30-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her children, Bernard (Carol), Richard, Joanne “Jody”, Mary Jean “MJ”, Mark, Kathryn Willsie (Ross), Anne Marie Place (Tim), Thomas (MaryEllen), Rosemary Hoffman (Jim) and Brian Nagengast; and by her daughter-in-law, Margaret Vogel-Nagengast.

She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Her loving husband, Bernie, died before her, as did her son, Michael, and her sister, Rose Mary Nicklas.

Funeral services will be held privately. However, a celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to either Helderberg Ambulance, 978 Cole Hill Road, East Berne, NY 12059 or to the East Berne Volunteer Fire Company, 25 Main St., East Berne, NY 12059.