Nancy L. Sungenis (nee Messick), 84, passed away Wednesday morning January 10, 2024 at Inspira Medical Center in Elmer after an extended illness. She was a longtime Hopewell Township resident and former Cumberland County Democratic Party Chairwoman.

Born in Port Norris on April 3, 1939, she was the precious daughter of Gladys Messick (nee Gaskill). Nancy and her late husband, Anthony “Husky” Sungenis, co-founded Sungenis Insurance Agency in 1963. Nancy was a Class of 1957 graduate of Bridgeton High School and was honored to be inducted into the Bridgeton High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2022.

Prior to co-founding Sungenis Insurance Agency, Nancy was the bookkeeper for the office of Charles F. Seabrook. Nancy was the first female mayor of Hopewell Township, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Cumberland County Utilities Authority and Commissioner of Registration for the Cumberland County Board of Elections. She was former Chairwoman and Vice-Chair of the Cumberland County Regular Democratic Organization, Democratic State Committeewoman and delegate to several Democratic National Conventions. Nancy was honored as Cumberland County Democrat of the Year in 2000. Nancy was inducted as a Charter member of the Cumberland County Women’s Hall of Fame. She served on many boards of directors including A.R.C. of Cumberland County, Bridgeton Chamber of Commerce, Woodland Country Day School and Rosenhayn United Methodist Church. She was a coach of the girl’s pigtail softball league and a softball team sponsor at West Cumberland Little League. She was also a disc jockey at W.S.N.J. back in the 1950’s. Nancy loved to spend time with her family, go golfing and shopping.

Nancy received the Francis “Binks” Sharp award from the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce, the “Book of Golden Deeds” from the Exchange Club of Bridgeton and was honored as a Cumberland County Legend by the CompleteCare Family Health Foundation in 2023.

Nancy was a true “Woman of Substance.” Integrous, generous, honorable and kind. She was a great mentor with a heart of gold. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Nancy is survived by her precious daughter, Jill, who meant the world to Nancy, and her wife Nicole Bano, sons, Paul Sungenis and David Sungenis (Libee Uhuru) and daughter, Sandi Sungenis (Tom Kanatous); two granddaughters Jenna Lore and Michelle Lore (Richard Benton) and two great grandchildren Colton and Rosemary. She is also survived by her special sister, Robin Wood, sisters Andrea Heinze and Linda Fisher and brother Herb Morgan; special nieces Lauren Layton (Mike) and Lynn Sungenis (Kenny Schmidt); special friend Mary Corvaia; sisters-in-law Betty Messick, Dora Messick and Molly Messick; and Aunt Linda Mints. She is also survived by several dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Gladys Messick, her husband Anthony Sungenis, brothers, Donald Messick, Paul Messick and Gary Messick, sister Suzanne and her husband Joseph Moran and sister Joann along with many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services at the Freitag Funeral Home, 137 West Commerce Street in Bridgeton with Pastor Kelly Vazquez of the Rosenhayn United Methodist Church officiating on Wednesday morning January 17, 2024 at 11 o’clock.

The burial will take place at Fernwood Memorial Cemetery in Hopewell Township.

Friends will be received at the funeral home Wednesday morning between 9 and 11.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Rosenhayn United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 215, Rosenhayn, NJ 08352.