Barbara Lucille (Kreider) Nissley

I am the second daughter of Herbert and Emma Brubaker Kreider, born on the Kreider farm in Campbelltown, Lebanon County, Pa., on February 28, 1933. A favorite childhood memory is playing with my sister and our dolls. We were allowed to use a spare bedroom upstairs, where we could play house, and have tea parties with our china tea set at our little table and chairs.

I have fond memories of growing up on the farm, although some farm chores I enjoyed more than others. One task I disliked was gathering the eggs, then cleaning, grading, and packing them. And I often wished the cows wouldn't have to be milked twice a day, especially in the hot summer months. I always liked to drive the tractor, which made me feel important. We enjoyed having our own swimming pool---we dammed up the creek that ran through our meadow, making it a deep swimming hole!

As I grew older, our family began to plan annual summer vacations after harvest. That meant that Dad needed someone to do chores while he was away. Usually Dad's nephews or a neighbor boy would be recruited to do the work. Many times our vacation destination was Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

Our family always went to Sunday school and Sunday worship, so I have attended Palmyra Brethren in Christ Church all my life. I had many capable Sunday school teachers while growing up, which helped me in learning about the Bible. During a revival meeting with Rev. Ohmer Herr, I accepted Christ and later became a member of the church.

I attended the Campbelltown Elementary School for eight years. We had to walk to a bus stop which seemed very far to a small child during the long winters. A highlight of those years was my ninth birthday, when my mother invited my class to a surprise birthday party. I felt very privileged and received many nice gifts.

I attended Hershey High School and graduated in 1951. I found high school subjects much harder and knew no one in my class. It was quite an adjustment and I felt very much alone. Slowly I made some wonderful friendships which have continued to this day.

As I grew older, I chose the vocation of nursing, a desire I had from the time I was little. Two of my aunts were nurses and my cousin Ruth often told me about her experiences as a student nurse. I received my training and graduated from Harrisburg School of Nursing in 1954. It was a wonderful three years. I was fortunate to be a student when the new Harrisburg Hospital was completed---what an exciting time to move all the patients to the new facility with lovely new rooms and new equipment! I continued working at the hospital for about a year. I spent the next two years working at the Lebanon VA Hospital.

Wanting to do some traveling, I took Mother and Dad in my new Chevy to Upland, California. We had a wonderful trip west, seeing many new sights. My parents stayed for two weeks with friends and then returned home by train. I soon found a small house to rent and set up housekeeping. I had fun furnishing my first home. I immediately found work at the Upland Hospital, worked on a medical-surgical wing, and adjusted quickly to my new surroundings.

I soon learned that my cousin, Ronald Stoner, was living in Pasadena, doing his 1-W service. We would often do things together over the weekends. He would come to my place for supper and then we would attend the evening service at the Upland Church.

I enjoyed singing in the Upland Church Choir. Since there were many other single girls in this church, we spent a lot of enjoyable times together.

In September, 1958, I returned home to Pa. I began working as a state public health nurse in Lancaster County. I had interesting adventures finding my way around the county!

While I was working in the Lancaster area, a nurse friend mentioned knowing Gene Nissley, a pharmacist in Palmyra. One day while shopping at the pharmacy, I introduced myself to him. That began a friendship that led to our marriage in 1961. My uncle, Rev. Henry H. Brubaker, performed our wedding in the Palmyra Brethren in Christ Church, and we have lived in Palmyra all our married life thus far.

In January 1975, a social worker at Messiah Home spoke at our church about the possibility of starting a volunteer program there. Shortly after that, I began working at Messiah Home as the first volunteer, and have continued to the present time. I greatly enjoy the interaction with residents in visitation and activities.

In 1985, I began working part-time at the Milton Hershey School, in the Health Center, retiring 10 years later.

Through the years I have served in many capacities at the Palmyra Church: teaching in the junior Sunday school department, assisting in Pioneer Girls, serving on church board, and singing in the choir. For many years I also sang in a ladies' trio.

We have two sons, Gregory, married to Shwu-Yn Chang and Rodney, married to Sara Miller. They have blessed us with seven grandchildren.

The highlight of my retirement is spending time with my grandchildren. They bring me much enjoyment. I also enjoy singing, traveling and playing the piano.