Lillian R. Glaudel | Registered nurse, 78

Lillian Rahner Glaudel, 78, of Lansdowne, a registered nurse, died of complications from diabetes Friday at Montgomery County Hospital in Norristown.

During her more than 40-year career, Mrs. Glaudel served on the staffs of the former Philadelphia General Hospital, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, and Dowden Nursing Home in Newtown Square. She also worked as a private-duty nurse.

She worked night shifts while her five children were growing up, her daughter Annette said, and found time to be involved in their activities at St. Philomena School in Lansdowne.

Mrs. Glaudel graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls, where she played cello in the orchestra - her father was a professional cellist. She earned a nursing degree from Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing in 1949. She earned a long-sought bachelor's degree in nursing in 1988 after taking correspondence and summer courses at St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine.

Mrs. Glaudel enjoyed playing the cello and piano, knitting afghans, reading mysteries, and bargain shopping. She loved animals, and adopted many stray cats, her daughter said.

Since 1950, she had been married to Alfred Glaudel, whom she had met at a St. Patrick's Day dance. They were inseparable, their daughter said.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Mrs. Glaudel is survived by daughters Victoria Esmacher and Julie; sons Daniel and Stephen; a brother; and six grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today at St. Philomena Church, 41 E. Baltimore Ave. Lansdowne. Friends may call from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Doyle-Stonelake Funeral Home, 83 E. Baltimore Ave., Lansdowne. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.