Suzanne Evans McGonigal, 83, longtime nurse

Suzanne Evans McGonigal, 83, a longtime nurse at Philadelphia-area hospitals who also volunteered at a Catholic retreat in Haverford, died Saturday, Sept. 22, of cancer at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.

Mrs. McGonigal had lived in Wallingford for the last few years and in Swarthmore before that.

The mother of five children, Mrs. McGonigal worked as a nurse for more than 30 years. She held positions at Misericordia Hospital in Philadelphia, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, and Tri-County Hospital in Springfield, Delaware County.

She worked as a volunteer at the St. Raphaela retreat house in Haverford for more than 10 years. She also was a longtime member of Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Swarthmore.

Born in Atlantic City, Mrs. McGonigal was the daughter of Anna Marie Evans, a single mother. Mrs. McGonigal was a graduate of Holy Spirit Catholic High School in Atlantic City, where she was a yearbook editor and a member of the student council.

She earned her nursing degree from Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia.

She was the wife of Joseph F. McGonigal, a worker for Philadelphia Electric Co. They were married for nearly 60 years, her family said.

Her son Joseph said Mrs. McGonigal enjoyed writing poetry and short stories and traveling in Europe, where she visited Rome, Portugal, and other places.

Her hobbies included painting watercolors of dunes and ocean scenes in Atlantic City and Ocean City, N.J., and 35mm photography.

"She shot a lot of photographs of flowers at Longwood Gardens, and she would send cards with those photos to her friends and relatives," her son said.

In addition to her husband and son, Mrs. McGonigal is survived by daughters Susan McGonigal and Megan Edgar; sons Mark and Robert; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 950 Michigan Ave., Swarthmore. A viewing will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield.