Louise Hagen

On May 2nd, 2024, Louise Hagen, of Absecon, was welcomed into Heaven by God. Angels broke out into boisterous songs of joy and celebration. Numerous saints were in attendance. Celestial beings of all kinds were there to witness the moment. Her late husband, James, took a break from golf to embrace her as she came through the gates. A wondrous party was held for the 87 year old, with dancing and the consumption of herbal teas. While the citizens of Heaven poured love upon her, they retold the story of her life, which has been transcribed for mere mortals.

Louise was born in 1936 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, the only daughter of William Nial and Mabel (Schaffer) Bartram. She was always called Louise, only learning that she had actually been named for her mother Mabel upon attending school.

Life was mostly good back then, but she did face adversity in her youth, as she was left-handed in time when something so ordinary was treated with disdain by the public school system. She faced tragedy as well when one of her two brothers, Carl, was struck and killed by a drunk driver. Perhaps these types of events helped form the inner tenacity that she would become known for.

Ever on her own path, she studied biology in college, graduating with an undergraduate degree from Lebanon Valley College. At that time, the early 1950’s, there were not many women studying sciences, yet she persevered, something her family has always been very proud of.

After graduating college, Louise went into a career doing cancer research, a field she found fascinating and enriching. Her life changed course, however, when she met her future husband while on a ski trip with her friends. He was so overtaken with her, that he called her later at her workplace, and they began a whirlwind romance.

However, when James later proposed to her, it was not your typical fairy tale moment. He informed her that he had accepted a job working for the Department of Defense, that he would be leaving very soon, and he wanted them to be married. Louise had two weeks to prepare for the wedding. She was fast-tracked into Catholicism, and they found a priest who would do the honors. Miraculously, she was the same size as the mannequin, purchasing the dress without needing any alterations. After the wedding, the couple moved to Virginia. Louise and her family eventually settled in Atlantic County, NJ, where they resided in Linwood for over three decades.

Louise gave birth to six children, four girls, and two boys, over 13 years, and it was her pride and joy to see her children flourish. A lifelong avid reader, she instilled in her children wonder for the world, and a love for literature. She enjoyed having a big laugh and was happy to be the target of a successful joke. A typical day found her unreachable, glued inside the pages of a good book while sipping on tea.

In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, she took up the 'new' trend of jogging, running in many races. This, too, left an impression on her children, several of them taking up the sport in high school and college.

Always on the cutting edge, Louise was called back to the sciences, earning both an undergraduate degree in computer science from Richard Stockton University of NJ, and later a Masters from Monmouth University. While attending Stockton, she began an internship with the FAA Technical Center, which turned into a celebrated career of many decades working as a software engineer. She worked with navigation satellites and was a GS-15 when she retired. She was beloved by her colleagues, whom she had equal admiration for. For a number of years, she could be seen riding the paths of the FAA campus on her kick scooter.

In the later years of her career, she began to explore the world of Christian ministry, a path she professed to have longed for since childhood. To her children's amazement, her work in the ministries took her to Africa, India, and Brazil, where she found her calling among a group of tribal people. So much was her joy with this work that she retained permanent citizenship in that country, living there for a number years until her health waned.

She was especially fond of the village children, with whom she shared an innocence and childlike creativity. She was blessed with the healing word, touching numerous lives.

The majority of her retirement was spent preoccupied with her faith, as well as her ministry work. She was working toward a PhD in theology. When she could no longer travel overseas, she enjoyed painting and drawing artwork inspired by her love for God, studying the Bible, and reading good murder mystery novels. She was always filled with genuine curiosity and infectious energy.

Louise is predeceased by her husband James, who passed away in 1995, and survived by her six children: Bridget Castilla (Aurelio), of Harleysville, PA; James Hagen (Melissa), of Steubenville, OH; Jeanine Pescatore (Ron), of Atlantic City; Andrea Hagen; Louise Hagen, of Absecon; and Francis Hagen (Lucette), of North East, MD. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Daniel Castilla, Elena Castilla (Patrick); Robert (Addi), Franny (Ashley), and Asa McCarty; as well as by her great-grandchildren, Elián and Nico Rush. She is also survived by her very good friend Edith Brooks.

One might think that the world is a darker place without such a wonderful person in it, but her memory is a shining light.

Visitation will be 10:30AM to 11:30AM on Friday, May 10, 2024 at Praise Tabernacle Church, 2235 Ocean Heights Ave. in Egg Harbor Township. A service will be offered at 11AM. Graveside service will follow at Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery in Estell Manor. In her memory, consider donating to Praise Tabernacle, at the above address, where she worshiped, or to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be placed at www.parselsfh.com.