Every neighborhood has a hometown hero. In Fishtown’s case, that champion might just be Nancy Bartelle.

A Fishtown girl with genuine love for the community and those residing there, Bartelle has been involved in several community service and fundraising events, all with little to no recognition for her charitable acts of kindness.

Bartelle’s commitment to the neighborhood and love for helping others is evident when looking at what she’s accomplished in the past few months alone— she has dedicated her time and energy into helping out with the sale of hot dogs for the Jerry Lewis Telethon, giving haircuts to senior citizens at Penn Home on Thanksgiving, and organizing a fundraiser Beef and Beer for the Palmer Cemetery that generated $7000 for the cemetery.

Jim Kingsmill is the Head Trustee at Palmer Cemetery and has been involved in cleanups of the graveyard since 2001. He is someone who has worked with and seen Bartelle make a difference first hand.

“Nancy is a very generous person—when someone needs something she is usually the first to organize or donate something to make sure that she helps out,” Kingsmill said. “She recognizes the importance of the cemetery—it’s the history of the neighborhood. She’s organized cleanups, most recently on November 23rd.”

Bartelle took it upon herself to organize a fundraiser for the cemetery.  Because Palmer Cemetery is a nonprofit organization, the historic burial grounds are maintained thanks to volunteers and fundraisers. If there are three things Bartelle is very good at it’s cutting hair, volunteering and fundraising.

“The beef and beer at Holy Name raised $7000 and it was all based on what she did,” Kingsmill explained. “There were a lot of volunteers but she was the driving force behind it because of her commitment to help the neighborhood.”

According to Kingsmill, Bartelle, who also serves on the Palmer Cemetery Board, is looking to plan more fundraisers in the future and he is thrilled to have someone as enthusiastic as her to help out.

“We are lucky to have her on board… she’s someone you want in your corner when things need to get done,” he said.

Nancy Bartelle is someone who is beloved by those who know her and have worked with her. By many accounts, she is a great friend, sister, wife and the greatest daughter a mother could have and if Nancy’s Mom was with us today, she would tell you with great pride just how wonderful a daughter she had in Nancy.  One friend described her as “loud and funny as hell.” However, she is also a selfless person who tries to avoid the limelight and does not wish to be recognized or acknowledged for her actions. Bartelle does what she does for one reason alone—she is determined to give help wherever it is needed.

“If Nancy gets something she wants to do in her head, she gets it done. Some people do things for other motives. But I don’t get that from her,” said Kingsmill. “She does it because she sincerely wants to help out.”

Despite that, everyone needs a little recognition every now and again.  So, Ms. Bartelle, from all of us who call Fishtown our home, thank you for your commitment, service, friendship and kindness. It is all greatly appreciated and it means the world to us.