Nancy Mae (Thomas) Drain, 92, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2025. Born in Broomal, PA, she was the daughter of the late Orem and Emma Kathryn (King) Thomas. She was married for 62 years to her beloved husband, Harry J. Drain Jr., prior to his passing in 2020.
Nancy graduated from Marple-Newtown High School in 1951 and the Presbyterian Hospital Nursing School of Philadelphia in 1953. She spent most of her career working at Lebanon Valley General Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital of Lebanon. She is proud to have been a long-term participant in the original Nurses’ Health Study of 1976, an ongoing research program of the risk factors for major chronic diseases in women.
Nancy had many interests, including crafting, flower gardening, observing songbirds at her feeding stations, reading a good mystery novel, completing jigsaw puzzles, solving sudoku, and spoiling her dogs. Nancy was a delight to everyone who knew her. She had the most giving heart and supported countless charities, both locally and nationally. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her loving family.
Nancy is survived by her children, H. Christopher Drain (Debra), Karen D. Riedel (Patrick), Peter A. Drain (Sandra), Eric M. Drain (Christine), and Thomas B. Drain (Susan); eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Semsick, Daniel Drain (Dana), Sarah Scholl (William), Anthony Drain, Rebecca Drain, Samuel Drain, Alexander Drain, and Luke Drain; great-grandchildren, Alexander and Zachary Semsick, Willow Drain, and Hudson Hayes due in February. She was predeceased by her siblings, Geraldine Thomas Wilds and Gordon Thomas.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at Snyder Bean Funeral Home & Crematory, 890 Isabel Dr., Lebanon, PA 17042. The family will receive guests beginning at 9 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in Nancy’s name to the Humane Society of Lebanon County, 150 N. Ramona Road, Myerstown, PA 17067, or Myerstown Community Library, 199 N. College St., Myerstown, PA 17067. To leave an online condolence, visit SnyderBeanFuneralHome.com.
