Anna Jean Nagelhout

Major Anna Jean (A.J.) Nagelhout

Anna Jean (A.J.) Nagelhout passed away on Feb. 9, 2023 in Grants Pass, Oregon. Anna was born on January 12, 1935 to the late Elizabeth O’Neil and Arnold Fredrick Nagelhout. She is preceded in death by longtime partner Helen Arlene Huddleston, brothers Frederick Nagelhout, Arnold (Josephine) Nagelhout and niece Debbie Nagelhout.

Anna grew up in Niagara Falls where she attended Saint Mary’s Catholic School. She started her career at NY Telephone Company as a switch board operator before starting nursing school at Edward Meyer Hospital in Buffalo. She graduated in three years and continued to work there before moving to Pasadena CA to begin work at LA General hospital.

Looking for adventure, she joined the Army in 1962 and began basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas before heading to Letterman Hospital in San Francisco as a surgical nurse on the open-heart team. She served in Germany, Vietnam, Belgium, and at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. Her Military awards include Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal W/60. After serving her tour, she returned to civilian life in Niagara Falls before returning to Letterman to continue her work.

On a bit of a whim, A.J. and Arlene purchased the Galice River Resort on the Rogue River in Oregon in 1971. She spent many happy years there with friends, family and guests before eventually settling in Grants Pass. She enjoyed extensive travel, the St Anne church community, her beautiful garden and orchard as well as many, many friends.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Marcella, numerous nieces and nephews, Kathleen (Brian) Kennedy, Richard (Angie) Nagelhout, Robert Nagelhout, Joseph (Colleen) Nagelhout, David (Linda) Nagelhout, Gary Nagelhout, Thomas (Cindy) Nagelhout, and Brian Nagelhout. She was dearly loved and will be missed by the family of Arlene.

Viewing will be at Hull & Hull on Thursday Feb. 23 from 5-7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral mass the following day, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church. Annas final resting will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Niagara Falls, NY.