Nancy Metzgar Lippa | Theater assistant, 64

Nancy W. Metzgar Lippa, 64, a retired administrative assistant at People's Light and Theatre near Malvern, died of pancreatic cancer Saturday at home in Springfield, Delaware County.

Mrs. Lippa graduated from Nether Providence High School. After attending Peirce Business School in Philadelphia, she worked as a secretary for several area companies.

In 1967 she married Louis Lippa. They had met when she was a production volunteer at Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley, where he was directing a play. Since the 1970s he has been an actor, director and resident playwright at People's Light and Theatre, and Mrs. Lippa assisted the artistic and managing directors there for 13 years.

"She was immensely helpful to me in analyzing and developing plays and inspiring me to continue writing," her husband said.

After she retired in 1997, Mrs. Lippa enjoyed traveling to Italy with her husband, decorating their home, gardening, and in recent years helping to care for her granddaughter.

She was a devoted theater patron, a lover of poetry and Italian culture, and an excellent cook, her husband said.

In addition to her husband and granddaughter, Mrs. Lippa is survived by a son, Christopher; a daughter, Anita Bowling; her mother, Marian Metzgar; two brothers; and two sisters.

Friends may call from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the O'Leary Funeral Home, 640 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 12 at People's Light and Theatre, 39 Conestoga Rd., East Whiteland Township.