Mary Celine Miller-Nestler
Mary Celine Miller-Nestler, 95, Beloved wife of the late Robert T. Nestler; daughter of the late Theodore and Louise Boyer; sister of Raymond (JoAnn), Robert, and Clare Mulkern (Robert) all deceased; step-mother and friend to Paul Nestler, Maureen Messersmith (Ernie), Timothy Nestler, Jean Simmons (Robert). Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Born in Sharpsburg in 1931, Mary Celine graduated from St. Martin’s High School in 1949 and entered the Sisters of Divine Providence in January, 1950. She earned a B.Ed. and M.Ed. in L.S., from Duquesne University and a Masters in Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Mary Celine taught junior high at St. Joseph School in Braddock (1952-1956) and St. Anne School in Castle Shannon (1956-1959). Pragmatic and visionary, she spent the rest of her career as an academic library director at two Pittsburgh area university libraries. From 1959 to 1966, she developed The Sister’s Library at Divine Providence that served as the foundation for the developing LaRoche University Library, where she served as its first director. In 1966, she joined Robert Morris University as the Director of Libraries until her retirement in 1992. It was there that she worked intensively with the University Administration and architects to design the Patrick Henry Library and Learning Center. In the years before her retirement in 1992, she directed a dedicated staff in the installation of an automated integrated library system. She was active and served on various committees in the American Library Association, the Pennsylvania Library Association, and the Pittsburgh Regional Library Center (PRLC). After her retirement from Robert Morris, she remained at the University (part-time) for eleven years re-organizing and developing a classification scheme for the University Archives. Among her many interests, Mary Celine was a Master Certified graphoanalyst, giving numerous lectures over the years. In 2004, she became an Ordained Minister of Spirit-Directed Healing with Celebrating Life Ministries and remains an active member of the organization. Known as the local “Angel Lady” she gave almost a hundred Angel lectures and distributed weekly messages to interested followers. A lifelong learner, her many interests included health and wellness, spirituality, and a fondness for recipes. Mary Celine was a member of St. Margaret Mary’s Church in Moon Township where she worshiped almost daily. She lived her life by the creed, “In him we live, and move, and have our being” Acts 17:28.
Friends will be received on Sunday July 19, 2026 from 3pm until 7pm in Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Moon Twp. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, July 20, 2026 at 1pm in St. Margaret Mary Church in Moon Twp.
Private interment will take place in St. Martin Cemetery, Pittsburgh.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Sister of Divine Providence, 9000 Babcock Blvd., Alison Park, PA 15101 or Celebrating Life Ministries, c/o Reverend Paul Funfsinn, 2555 E. 269th Road, Peru, Illinois, 61354.
7 thoughts on “Mary Celine Miller-Nestler”
Dear Aunt Mary Celine
I love you dearly as a best friend, mentor & generous, loving aunt. I was honored & grateful to be with you, especially in the last two years. Your angels will be at my house where I will miss you daily. I will see you again one day. Love to you always, Leen
Rev Mary Celine Miller was a treasured member of our CLM Community for 35-plus years. Her joy and her humor are what I will remember her for years to come. Mary Celine loved life and the people around her. Her love for the Angels was a big part of her service to humanity.
I will miss you, Mary Celine; you’re one of the “good ones”. Shalom
Mary Celine and I had a special bond that
began over 30 years ago when we met at a
Celebrating Life Ministries. We could talk about anything and she was such a good listener.
Although we lived at different coasts and hadn’t been together for many years, we remained close friends and had great love for each other. I love you and miss you my Dear Mary Celine.
Rev Mary, served many by creating and gifting prayer clothes which I always treasured. These anointed clothes held a powerful healing vibration and were beautiful to see bringing both a sense of security and stillness. Thank you Rev Mary for your loving honest expression of God in your daily walk in life. Rest well. I love you Rev. Mary
Mary Celine was my 7th grade teacher at St.Joseph School in Braddock, PA. It was only her 3rd year of teaching. She was loved by all the students. We invited her to a class reunion one year, and she came. Years later through a Christ- instance I met her at an Angel Class. I was on her list then to receive angel messages weekly. We kept in touch and she became my dear friend praying for me, my daughter and her children. A wonderful woman who lived life to the fullest and put others and the angels before herself. May she rest in the love of God and enjoy her heavenly reward. Peace and consolation to her family and friends. Thanks for everything, Mary Celine 🙏❤️
Mary Celine was first known to me as Sr. Clare Louise, my seventh grade teacher at St. Joseph Elementary School in Braddock, PA. Her gentle beauty and warm smiles, at
a time not remembered for warm smiles, were endearing. If memory serves me well, I believe that she organized the first school library. She saved the last hour on Fridays overseeing our desk tidying, coat gathering, and “heads-down, eye-closing last 30 minutes reading a chapter of BEANIE MALONE to us. These quiet moments of listening to Mary Celine’s voice calmed us–at least until the dismissal bell rang.
These moments may not be or are not in any way comparable to or as significant as those Mary Celine created for others throughout her career in library science and management, in her sharing of her deep and profound spirituality, her love of Angels , and recipes. However, in the life of a seventh grader, they are a part of what has helped me to define my life.
So, Mary Celine, as the person who inspired me to write my first poem in seventh grade, I offer the few lines from a recent poem:
THE HYMN
…Then with one great voice
Let us sing out the hymn,
Whose first note has echoed
Since time did begin.
From the point of Creation
To our present shore
May Peace now open,
To find Love at the Door.
I am so sadden, that I just learned of Mary Celine passing. I would have gone to see her for the last time. Rest in peace my dear friend and thank you for the many years of friendship. I hope we will be reunited in my future. Love you Celine!