Nancy L. Kushela, nurse, Del Tech retiree
Nancy L. Kushela, 80, of Fenwick Island, formerly of Odessa and Newark, passed away Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at Atlantic Hospital in Berlin, Md.
Nancy was born in Salisbury, Md., May 9, 1945, the daughter of the late Harley Therl Long and Grace May (Daisey) Long. She was a graduate of Selbyville High School Class of 1963 and went on to further her education at University of Delaware, where she completed her undergraduate degree as well as two master’s degrees in science and education.
Nancy began her professional career as a bedside nurse in El Paso, Texas, before returning to Delaware, where she worked as a maternity nurse at Wilmington Hospital. In the mid-1970s, she transitioned into teaching, beginning her academic career at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover. Over the years, she rose to become department chair of the nursing department. She concluded her distinguished career at Del Tech in Georgetown, retiring in 2005.
While living in Odessa, Nancy was actively involved with the American Association of University Women. Following retirement, she greatly enjoyed caring for her granddaughters. She also cherished her wide circle of friends and loved meeting them for lunches and social gatherings.
Nancy will be fondly remembered for her remarkable storytelling ability, her fun-loving personality and her deep devotion to her family – especially her beloved granddaughters – as well as her lifelong love of Elvis.
In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her sister, Connie Parker, in 2021.
She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Rodman Kushela; her two children, Karen McIlvaine and her husband Thad of Lewes, and Keith Kushela and his wife Alison of Mooresville, N.C.; and her two cherished granddaughters, Miranda and Addison McIlvaine, both of Lewes.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 29, at Lighthouse Sound Restaurant, 12723 St. Martin’s Neck Road, Bishopville, Md.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Nancy’s name to Hope Lodge or Brandywine Valley SPCA.
