Wanda Marie Pagano, age 101, passed away at Silver Maples/The Meadows Assisted Living in Chelsea, Michigan on December 18, 2022. She was born on July 23, 1921 in Detroit, MI to Stella and Teofil Knap. She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Joe) Veltri, granddaughters, Sharon (Michael) Scott and Laura (Joe/JJ) Janukaitis as well as her nieces, Claudia (Dan) Malone, Susan (John) Fullerton, and nephew Kurt Hebel. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edmund R. Pagano, Son Charles E. Pagano, sister Helen Hebel and many adoring canine companions.

Wanda was a 1939 graduate of Central High School and Wayne State University where she studied business. During World War II, she worked at the Fort Wayne Ordinance Depot on the Detroit River where she managed a team producing mechanical, vehicle and parts for the troops. In the years following, Wanda was actively involved in her Dearborn Heights community for five decades where she was a member of Divine Child Parish and volunteered as a Brownie Troop Leader.

Known to many as "Nana", Wanda loved animals and welcomed every opportunity to spoil Dogs – particularly English Setters. She loved watching things grow, spending time outdoors, and she enjoyed spending summers "Up North" in Port Austin where she would fish, visit with friends and embrace the slower pace of life. For the past 11 years, Wanda made her home at Silver Maples of Chelsea where she made cameo appearances in their commercials/newspaper ads, served as a member of the Resident Council, tended to the birds in their activity room, watered plants, became puzzle captain and thought very highly of her extended family there.

Visitation Tuesday, 2 pm – 7 pm with a  7 pm Rosary at St. Joseph Country Church, 6805 Mast Rd., Dexter, MI. In state Wednesday 10 am followed by the Celebration of Life Service at 11 am at St. Joseph Country Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, The Salvation Army, or St. Joseph Parish in Dexter, MI.