Amanda Byron Rydell Nagy

Amanda Byron Rydell Nagy, 32, of Salem, VA and Stanhope, NJ passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown NJ, after a courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her devoted husband of 8 years, Christopher Nagy, of Stanhope, NJ.; parents, Carl and Carol Rydell of Salem; sister, Sara Rydell Jones of Roanoke; grandmother, Marjorie Byron of Salem; grandmother, Ellen Rydell of East Longmeadow, MA.; and in-laws, Chuck and Judy Nagy of Succasunna, NJ. Amanda was also a doting aunt to her nieces, Lily, Stella, and Ruby Jones, also of Roanoke. Amanda was born in June 18, 1979 at Mather Air Force Base in Rancho Cordova, Ca. Her father's Air Force career would take Amanda from one coast of this country to the other, and it instilled in her a lifelong love of travel and adventure. Settling in Virginia at age 10, Amanda attended Glenvar High School where she became an accomplished student and athlete. From 1998 to 2006, Amanda studied at Virginia Tech, New River Community College, and Centenary College in NJ. In 2006, she became a teacher in the business department of Roxbury High School in Succasunna, NJ. In her 5 years with the school, Amanda served as a coach for several RHS athletic teams including girls basketball and volleyball, and took on additional roles in organizations like the FBLA. She was a passionate teacher and dedicated coach who provided unparalleled leadership and inspiration to the students and athletes she came in contact with. Amanda was a vibrant young woman who was loved by all who knew her. Her warm smile and kind heart will be greatly missed but never forgotten. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 6 PM on Friday, September 9th at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, 305 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, VA. The family will receive friends following the service until 9 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Melanoma Research Foundation at www.melanoma.org or 1411 K Street, NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005 or to a scholarship fund at Glenvar High School. Scholarship contributions can be sent to: The Rydell Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Glenvar High School, 4549 Malus Drive, Salem, VA 24153.