Noreen Agnew

We are deeply saddened to announce that Noreen “Renie” (Hammond) Agnew, 81, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10, 2023 in Pottstown Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family. She was the precious wife of Howard Agnew, her love of 58 years.  Noreen was a devoted wife, mother, Nana, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. Her love for her family was above and beyond the most important part of her life. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two beloved children; daughter, Pamela, wife of David A. Lawrence of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and son, William H. Agnew of Matawan, New Jersey. Noreen was a treasured Nana to her one granddaughter, Haylen Anne Lawrence, also of Phoenixville. Noreen is also survived by her loving “sisters”, Sally Hammond and Nina Wallace, and nieces Alison McMahon and Ashley Clarke, with whom she shared many wonderful memories. She is preceded in death by her dear brother, John Hammond, and nephews, Buddy and Wayne Hammond.

Born on October 15, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Noreen was the daughter of her cherished parents, the late William and Helen (Mucha) Hammond. Noreen loved growing up in Philadelphia, close to her extended family. Her fondest memories of childhood were on Colorado Street, playing with cousins and friends. Noreen attended Rider University and studied to be a teacher. She always worked to support her family, from her first job at Pomeroy’s in Philadelphia, to her years by Howard’s side as a loving wife and mom.

Howard and Noreen met in Doylestown, Pennsylvania in 1964 at the Rendezvous Bar. They were married on January 30th, 1965 in Levittown, Pennsylvania and honeymooned at Cove Haven in the Poconos, the first of many wonderful trips together. Butch and Renie, as they would come to be known, started their family in Wildwood, New Jersey. From there, life took them to Cape May Court House, then Harrisonburg, Virginia and Malvern, Pennsylvania; to Cedar Knolls, New Jersey and State College, Pennsylvania. They also lived in Salisbury, Maryland for twenty years and made many close friends there. The year 2020 brought them to Phoenixville to be closer to their children and granddaughter.

Renie made many fond memories with friends and family over the years, from trips overseas to England and France, to summers in Cape May, New Jersey and Sandbridge Beach in Virginia. Many happy hours were spent in California and Florida, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, among many other places. Renie loved to travel, and whether on a business trip with Butch, or vacationing with family, she never met a stranger along the way. 

Renie was the light of our lives, and her kind heart, joyful spirit and sweet nature will be missed forever.

A viewing will be held in the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service in Devlin - Gatcha Funeral Home, 517 S. Main Street, Phoenixville, PA on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or ASPCA at aspca.org/donate.