Evelyn Nadine Abell, 91, of Metropolis, Illinois, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, at Southgate Nursing Home, where she had been in hospice since late June.

Nadine was born in Metropolis on November 8, 1934, the fifth of six children born to Guy and Mozelle Cagle. She adored her older siblings, who gave her the childhood nickname “MyGo,” after the words she would say whenever she wanted to accompany them to town. She graduated from Metropolis High School in 1952 and worked as a teller at National State Bank. A raven-haired beauty in her youth, Nadine loved roller skating and driving her 1951 Pontiac.

On December 27, 1958, she married Harry W. Abell, of Brookport. Harry, then a teacher and varsity basketball coach at Golconda High School, took Nadine to a holiday tournament for their honeymoon so he could scout his team’s opponents. She and Harry started a family in Golconda, welcoming Rick and Kim, before relocating to Harrisburg in 1966 and having their third child, Andy.

Nadine was a devoted mother and wife throughout Harry’s long tenure as president of Southeastern Illinois College (SIC), supporting his dedication to the students, faculty, and broader community. She also worked at Harrisburg National Bank and was a member of the First Christian Church.

Following Harry’s untimely death in 1994 at age 58, Nadine returned to Metropolis, where she was a member of Community Christian Church. In retirement, she traveled extensively, visiting Alaska, the UK, France, Italy, Israel and Jordan. Nadine also enjoyed St. Louis Cardinal baseball, the March Madness basketball tournament, and the performing arts.

Nadine had a special gift for connecting with young children and enjoyed serving in her church nursery. Her special banana pudding was always requested at church dinners. In later years, she found joy in simple pleasures: piping hot black coffee, watching birds from her window, singing with her dear friend Brenda Hill, and finding special friendships with her many caregivers, particularly Reba Rushing, Trish Sexton, Ashley Sexton and Marrisa Pannell.

She was especially proud of her three children and their families. Nadine is survived by Rick (Pris) and Kim Abell of Metropolis, and Andy (Hania) Abell of Potomac, Maryland; five grandchildren, Molly (Clayton) Smith, Mitchell, Isaac, Isla and Evan Abell; and two great-grandchildren, Cooper English and Elliott Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Mozelle Cagle; her siblings, Alice Betty Compton, Mary Bremer, Bill Cagle, Helen Parr and Jackie Cagle; and her beloved husband, Dr. Harry W. Abell.

A Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Metropolis Memorial Gardens with Rev. Mike Hardison officiating. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to SIC Foundation c/o Southeastern Illinois College Foundation, 3575 College Road, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946 or Community Christian Church 1150 Country Club Rd Metropolis, Illinois 62960.

Her family will remember the twinkle in her eye, the funny voices she would use when telling stories, her warm embrace, and the ever-present pot of coffee in her kitchen.