Gretta Lyons Pagel died Jan. 2, 2008 in Bremerton surrounded by loved ones. She was 85. 

She was born in Mitchelstown, Ireland on March 26, 1922. She immigrated to the United States in 1953. She lived in New York and attended Russell Sage College where she also worked in the admissions office. It was in New York that she met Howard Pagel who was beginning his Coast Guard career. They married in 1954.

Mrs. Pagel was a devout Catholic and contributed countless hours teaching catechism classes and supporting her local church and clergymen. She was a firm believer in “charity begins at home” and was a tireless advocate of St. Anthony’s Farm, a church-run farm for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics in Sonoma County, Calif. She also was a Red Cross volunteer and during her stay in Guam, cared for Vietnamese refugee infants during “Operation New Life” at the end of the Vietnam War. When devastating Typhoon Andrew hit the island, she left for days at a time to help disaster victims in the local hospital.

Well-known for her hospitality in Coast Guard circles, Mrs. Pagel had the gift of making everyone feel welcome. She was a wonderful entertainer whose St. Patrick’s Day parties were the talk of the town. Her favorite pastime was taking long walks in the countryside with the Schnauzers she raised.

She was a kind and compassionate woman and will be long-remembered by friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Capt. Howard W. Pagel.

Survivors include her four children Karen Pagel of Frisco, Colo., Mary Whitwell of Silverdale, Lora Ray of Newcastle, Wash., John Pagel of Davis, Calif., their spouses and 11 grandchildren. 

Her family will have a memorial service in her honor in the summer when all her children and grandchildren can attend. 

Memorial gifts can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.