Obituary of Marjory Rayline Nagel

Marjory Rayline Nagel passed away peacefully on August 7, 2020 in St. Petersburg, FL.  She was 93 years old.

Rayline was born in Milwaukee, WI, the daughter of George Simpson Cairns and Lenora June Clough.  She graduated from Wauwatosa High School, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy, beginning her training at Milwaukee-Downer College, and completing her degree at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  She worked as a physical therapist until the birth of her children.

While attending the First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa, she met her husband, Charles (Chuck) Nagel, who she married in 1952, and with whom she had four children.  In 1969, the family moved to Madison, WI, where Rayline resumed her career as a physical therapist.  In 1974 they moved to Reedsburg, WI, and ten years after that, she and Chuck moved to Miami, FL, where she recertified in the State of Florida.

When she and Chuck retired in 1991, they relocated to Spruce Creek, near Ocala, FL.  From there, they had the opportunity to travel – to the UK and the Middle East, to Zimbabwe (twice), to Hawaii and the Caribbean, and, in a roundtrip drive from Florida, to Denali National Park in Alaska.

Rayline’s happiest times were spent with her family, and she was a caregiver by nature as well as by profession.  When she was still in her twenties, her mother was killed in a car accident.  She remained close to her father as well as to Chuck’s parents, Charles and Marjorie Nagel, and their extended families.  Memories are filled with family gatherings in nearby Janesville and Lake Pewaukee, as well as at her own home.  As the older generation aged, Rayline visited many of them, providing for their needs. 

After Chuck died in 2004, Rayline moved to Westminster Palms, a residential care facility in St. Petersburg, to be closer to daughter Kathy.  Rayline was an active volunteer for many years, helping out in the gift shop and welcoming new residents.  By the time she moved into assisted living, she was well known to the staff there because of her frequent visits with her neighbors.

Rayline was an avid reader, and a great mom.  As kids we remember our mother being there for all of our activities – school, scouting, sports, and church – and for our family trips west to camp in the national parks.  As adults, she was a source of encouragement, wise counsel, optimism, and love.

Rayline was predeceased by her husband Chuck, sister Irma Irene who died in infancy, sister Leonah Biddick and husband Jack, sister-in-law Marilou Zimmerman and husband Richard, and daughter-in-law Lynn Nagel.  She is survived by her children:  David and wife Helen, Richard, Robert and wife Carol, and Kathy.  She is also survived by her brother-in-law Jack Nagel and wife Nancy, and by grandchildren Margaret Hastings and husband Jon, Adrienne Garcia and husband Greg, Edward Nagel, George Nagel and wife Laura, and Jordan Nagel.  Rayline had six great-grandchildren:  Jada, Jasmine, Justin, and Jahzara Garcia, and Calvin and Josephine Hastings. 

When it is safe for the family to gather, Rayline’s ashes will be buried alongside Chuck at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.   Anderson-McQueen Family Tribute Centers is handling the arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Rayline’s name can be made either to St. Petersburg Free Clinic, 863 3rd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL  33701 - or to another charity of your choice.