Naida Nelson

Naida Peters Nelson NEWPORT NEWS - Naida Peters Nelson died bravely and peacefully at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Nov. 20, 2010 after a valiant 12-week long fight for life. Naida passed away after undergoing open-heart surgery Sept. 7, 2010. Naida Fern Peters was born Aug. 29, 1927 in the city of Freeport on Long Island, N.Y. She moved to Norfolk as a teenager with her family when her father joined the Navy during World War II and was stationed there as a naval officer. She graduated from Granby High School and continued her education in the registered nurses program at De Paul Hospital, Norfolk. During nurse's training, Naida married William "Bill" Harrison from Norfolk and together they had five children: David Harrison, Melbourne, Fla., Steve Harrison, Aurora, Colo., Leslie (Bulger) Sedlacek, Warren, Minn.; Brad Harrison, Newport News, and Cindy Hill, Virginia Beach. During this time, Naida also worked as a nurse at Lake Taylor Hospital in Norfolk. After 21 years of marriage, Naida and Bill divorced and both went on to remarry and have happy, successful second marriages. In 1969, Naida married Elmer Nelson, a native West Virginian, and began the happy journey they shared for 27 years until his untimely passing from lung cancer in 1996. She soon found her niche and a new love - the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News. Naida loved working as a volunteer docent at the museum, and the staff and volunteers there quickly became her second family. It was clear to see that her museum friends loved her as much as she loved them. During her 13 years working at the Virginia Living Museum, Naida accumulated more than 9,500 volunteer hours, and was selected as the "2009 Volunteer of the Year" for the city of Newport News and presented an award at a ceremony by Mayor Frank. Naida loved life and everything in it. She sparkled like a diamond, and shone so brightly that anyone who ever met her never forgot her. She truly was a one-of-a-kind. She had an infectious energy and charm that brought joy and light to those who were blessed enough to know her. We all are better off for having known and loved Naida. She is survived by her children, their spouses and significant others, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. True to her independent spirit, Naida requested that she be cremated and her ashes scattered in a place that she loved and held dear to her heart. A celebration of her life will be held at the Virginia Living Museum on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. She wanted each person who knew her to have their own personal remembrance of the fun times and fond memories they shared together over the years. Thanks for the memories, dearest Naida, and may God bless and keep you always. Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.