Nancy Noel Sidders Frohlich, 88, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at her daughter Ellen's home in Poolesville, MD.

 

Nancy was born on Thursday, December 24, 1936, in Washington, DC, to Walter Franklin Sidders and Adele Helene (Gognait). Nancy was the youngest of three daughters: Joan, born in 1931 and Mary, born in 1933.

 

Nancy grew up in Tuxedo, MD, and graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1955. For two years, she worked at C&P Telephone in Washington, DC. She loved the freedom of working in the city and earning her own money. In 1957, she was accepted into the Capital City School of Nursing in Washington, DC., and graduated with her registered nursing degree (RN) in May 1959. On Friday, February 13, 1959, Nancy married her childhood neighbor and schoolmate, Elmer Henry Frohlich, Jr., (Junie), after four years of dating. 

 

After graduation, Nancy worked as an RN at Prince George’s General Hospital (PGGH), in Cheverly, MD. Nancy and Elmer had two daughters, Betsy in 1960 and Ellen in 1962, and moved to Kentland, MD. While working full-time, Nancy became a head nurse at PGGH. She then enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park. She graduated in 1968 with her Bachelor of Science in nursing (Summa Cum Laude). Four years later, she earned her Master of Science in nursing in 1972 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, with a 4.0 GPA. 

 

In 1971, after the purchase of three acres in Poolesville, MD, Elmer began building their home in 1975. Countless man hours and many moons later, they moved into their home in January 1979. After living in suburbs for 15 years, the move to Poolesville was a culture shock. It was a small village without public transportation and Blue Laws on Sunday, and though it took time, Poolesville became her beloved home. 

 

In 1980, Nancy became a nursing educator/LPN instructor at Suburban Hospital, a job she truly enjoyed. She then moved to the med-surg unit at Shady Grove Hospital, and on to the nursing education program at Frederick Memorial Hospital and finally ended her nursing career at Collingswood Nursing Center in 2000. 

 

After a colon cancer diagnosis in October 2000, then the birth of her last grandchild on Christmas 2000 and then completing six months of chemo in July 2001 (with Ellen as caregiver), Nancy retired at 64. Over the years, she truly found a passion for travel, which she did in earnest. With her family as her travel companions, she visited Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Montreal, Quebec, Philadelphia, New York City, Orlando, Rehoboth Beach, Ocean City, Cape May, Outer Banks, Gettysburg, Harper’s Ferry, and Annapolis.

 

In between her travel escapades, Nancy refinished many pieces of furniture in her garage with her daughter Ellen, was a former member of Potomac Valley Country Club, Western County Pool, HealthWorks, and AnyTime Fitness. Nancy spent many years taking aerobics classes in various locales in Poolesville and Barnesville. She spent many hours landscaping her yard, took many stained-glass classes with her daughter Ellen, sewed beautiful clothing for her grandchildren, knitted gorgeous blankets for her family, and with her husband, took in many stray animals.

 

Nancy loved being a member of St. Peter’s Parish and being involved with the yearly rummage and Christmas Attic sales, the Family Thrift Shop, and coffee hour. When St. Peter’s hosted “Just Lunch” in the few years before the pandemic, she enjoyed the social interaction with her fellow volunteers and the high schoolers. It was a sad day for her when the program ended.

Koda, Nancy’s rescue lab/pit mix from Baltimore, MD, was her beloved companion for 14 years. They had a bond that included long walks through the fields, sitting on the front porch together, walking in the yard, and going swimming in the pool. When Koda developed cancer in his leg, Nancy did not hesitate to have him treated and Koda became her “three-legged dog!” Koda never left Nancy’s side during her illness, even though he was ailing and struggling himself. Koda was laid to rest on December 10, six days after Nancy’s passing.
 

Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Elmer Henry Frohlich, Jr; her sisters, Joan Mohler, Mary Mueller; her brothers-in-law, Ewell Mohler, Charles Mueller, Richard Green; her sister-in-law, Joyce Frohlich Green; her parents; her in-laws, Elmer Henry Frohlich, Sr., Lillian Disney Frohlich.

 

Nancy leaves behind two daughters, Betsy Frohlich and Ellen Frohlich-Kirkpatrick. She has three grandchildren, Drew Kirkpatrick, Victoria Kirkpatrick, and Noel Kirkpatrick, and son-in-law, Tom Kirkpatrick. Two nieces, Jenny Mohler and Cary Renaud; and four nephews, Joseph Mohler, Matthew Mohler, Richard Green, and Charles Green.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, foster, or adoption with K-9 Lifesavers (https://k-9lifesavers.org/donate) or the Prince George’s County Animal Shelter (http://www.princegeorgespets4us.com).