Nell was the tenth of seventeen children born to August J. Dienstel and Diana (Serfass) Dienstel. She was born above Stull, Pa., on a farm situated at the headwaters of Bowmans Creek. She grew up without electricity or indoor toilet facilities.
Nell and her siblings had a daily commute, by train, to school in Stull. The class size at was usually less than ten in number. After graduation from high school, Nell continued her education at Jefferson School of Nursing in Philadelphia. She worked as a nurse and supervisor as well as traveling to private duty nursing assignments. It was as a private duty nurse that she went to Westerly to care for her sister's brother in law, Charles P. Crandall. Charles had undergone a serious operation and was in need of skilled nursing care.
Nellie and Charles married in 1927, she became a doctor's wife and eventually, mother of four children. Nell helped her husband with his practice until his death in 1944. After his death, she joined the staff of the Westerly Hospital and worked as a nurse as well as caring for her children. She retired from the Westerly Hospital at the age of 73, due to the effects of cancer. She passed at age 74 and was buried beside her husband.
Nell was known to be "salt of the earth" as well as devoted mother, grandmother, and sister. Nell had a love of the beach.


Dr. C.P Crandall Weds in Philadelphia

The marriage of Miss Nellie Louisa Dienstel of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. to Dr. Charles P. Crandall of 39 Grove Avenue, Westerly, took place in Philadelphia at 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Baldwin pastor of the Chestnut Street Baptist Church.

The bride is a trained nurse and at the time of her marriage was one of the supervisors at the new Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. She was special night nurse for Dr. Crandall when he underwent a serious operation at the Westerly Hospital last March. Mrs. Crandall is the sister of Dr. Harry F. Crandall's wife of High Street. The groom is a brother of Dr. Harry F. Crandall.

Dr. Crandall is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver P. Crandall of Grove Avenue and has been a practicing physician in Westerly for several years. He is on the staff of physicians at the Westerly hospital and a member of the executive committee of the staff. He is a member of the board of review of the Westerly Medical Society, being president of the organization last year, and also belongs to the Washington County Medical Society.

Dr. and Mrs. Crandall are to reside at 39 Grove Avenue upon their return from a short wedding trip.

The Westerly Sun, June 8, 1927

Thank you Carroll and Adelaide, for the wonderful information and pictures for the memorial!