BARBARA LIVINGSTON NELSON

BARBARA LIVINGSTONNELSONJune 26, 1945 - October 4, 2009Barbara was born in Norman, OK, and raised in Lexington, MA, and Seattle, WA., where her family moved when she was 10. She always thought of Seattle as her home.Barbara graduated in 1967 from Radcliffe College at Harvard University, where she met her future husband, William N. (Bill) Nelson. They married in 1968, moving to Houston in 1971 when Bill took a position in the philosophy department at UH. Their children Sarah and Andrew were born in Houston in 1971 and 1974, respectively. Barbara taught preschool at Bethany Methodist for a number of years; in 1984, she received her master's degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman's University. She worked in various positions, including the Challenge Program at TIRR and the Early Childhood Intervention Program of the Harris County Department of Education. She also taught elementary school in HISD, most recently at J. Will Jones Elementary, until deteriorating health forced her to retire. Of all her working roles, she took special pride in her work as a teacher.Barbara cherished her many friends in her book club, church, bicycle club, and her breast cancer and chronic illness support groups; she was particularly grateful for their support and fellowship during her final months. Barbara loved hiking, camping, bicycle trips and running, completing the Houston Marathon five times. She also loved vacations on the west coast, especially at her family's summer home on the Oregon coast. Most of all, she loved her large extended family, close in her heart even when they were far away.She is survived by her husband of 41 years, William N. Nelson III of Houston, TX; daughter Sarah Nelson Krajewski, son-in-law Todd Krajewski, and grandchildren Cathryn and Scott Krajewski of Mountain View, CA; son Andrew Nelson of Houston, TX; mother Victoria Hartwell Campbell and stepfather Frederick Campbell of Seattle, WA; father Goodhue Livingston III of Seattle, WA; sister Joan Livingston Richards of Providence, RI; brother Robert Livingston of Federal Way, WA; brother Peter Livingston of Portland, OR; aunt and uncle Jane Hartwell Stevens and Alexander Stevens of Seattle, WA; and many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention but equally loved.A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 18, 2009, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, 5200 Fannin St, Houston, TX.In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara's memory may be sent to:First Unitarian Universalist Church Endowment Fund5200 FanninHouston, TX 77004www.firstuu.orgorThe Pink Ribbons Project2449 South Blvd. Ste 100Houston, TX 77098www.pinkribbons.org