Nell Parsons

Nell Marie Parsons
June 8, 1924 - September 28, 2010
Nell Marie Parsons passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at Glenwood Gardens Skilled Nursing Facility in Bakersfield, CA. She was 86. Nell and her three younger sisters were born in Long Beach, CA where they lived until moving to Bakersfield. Nell attended Bakersfield High School where she met her husband Lyle A. Parsons. Following his death in 1968, Nell worked for Pacific Telephone Company (now AT&T) as a secretary in the construction offices in Bakersfield, where Lyle had worked, and then in San Luis Obispo, CA, where she retired after 20 years. She was a devoted wife and mother and dearly loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was very proud of her family. Nell was a caretaker right up to the end of her life. She had a special gift of empathy that let her experience very personally, any physical or emotional pain her family and friends might be going through, and she did what she could to comfort them and ease their pain. Nell had a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face for all those around her. Many of the staff at Glenwood referred to her as a "sweetheart."
Nell leaves behind a sister Patsy Rice of Elk Grove, CA; two sons Tom Parsons of Arroyo Grande, CA and Mark Parsons of Bakersfield; and two daughters Cynthia Fogarty of Chicago, IL and Terri Bray of Bakersfield; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her friends at Glenwood Gardens and the wonderful staff who cared for her during the last few years of her life and whom she considered family.
Her immediate family would also like to thank Optimal Hospice for the wonderful care, counsel and compassion they offered Nell and the family during her last days. Also, a Thank You is extended to Greenlawn Mortuary and Cemetery that arranged for Nell's cremation.
Her ashes will be buried with her husband in a private ceremony. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 7100 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 11, 2010.