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Patricia Nelson Obituary

CONCORD - Long-time Concord resident Patricia A. Nelson, 77, died in Nashville on April 19, 2018, peacefully, after a long illness. Her daughter Sara was by her side.

Through her work in adult education, Pat touched the lives of many. She had many different roles in the field, but ultimately, she was a teacher and she was fiercely proud of that title.

Pat was born in Lawrence, MA, to George Knight and Helen (Flathers) Knight. She grew up in Manchester, graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1958, and joined the Sisters of Mercy, becoming a Catholic nun. She studied French at Mount St. Mary's College in Hooksett and the Sorbonne in Paris. She got her Master's Degree from Boston University.

In 1972, she found herself teaching a theater class for prisoners at the State Prison in Concord, and was so transformed by the experience, she left the convent to pursue a career in adult education.

Pat was a tireless and enthusiastic educator, advocate, and administrator. Colleagues describe her as an icon, an inspiration, a legend. Her commitment to the work has had a permanent and profound effect not only on her students and staff, but also the field itself.

She was integral to the development of Concord's Second Start. She was hired at the non-profit educational corporation back when it still had "Project" in its name. For 41 years, her generous spirit, hard-working nature, and expertise touched the lives of thousands, particularly adults who had never learned to read or write, and had no high-school diploma. She helped countless people obtain GEDs.

In 2000, she also joined the Right Question Institute, RQI, (formerly known as the Right Question Project), a non-profit in Cambridge, furthering her commitment to the education field. She worked to implement and develop pioneering strategies to help adult educators build and foster students' curiosity and confidence. She also worked to engage adult learners in voting and to teach frontline workers in early childhood programs how to build their clients' self-advocacy skills. RQI started a fellowship in her honor.

Pat never stopped teaching; she never stopped learning. She absolutely loved the challenge.

She was also a committed volunteer and activist, notably with Making Strides, which raises awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. She was also a breast cancer survivor, and in 2008, she completed a survivors' triathlon. She quickly became a key figure in any cause with which she engaged.

Pat is survived by her daughter Sara Nelson, Sara's boyfriend, Joseph Plunket, her sister Ellen Labrie and brothers George Knight and wife Patty and Charles Knight and wife Sandy; along with many nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and students. Her husband, Russ, predeceased her in 2006.

SERVICES: A celebration of Pat's life will take place on Saturday, June 23rd from 1-4pm at the Atlantic Grill in Rye, NH (5 Pioneer Road). It is encouraged that attendees RSVP to the following email; all who knew Pat are welcome: [email protected]. Memories, stories, or photos of Pat can also be sent to this email. Sara will compile them to be shared at the celebration. In lieu of flowers, Pat and Sara would love friends and family to make donations to the Right Question Institute. (For more info: www.rightquestion.org.)

Published by Union Leader on May 11, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
for Patricia Nelson

Not sure what to say?





Sara,
Have been thinking of you. I'm saddened by your loss and by the loss for all of us. Your mom taught many of us through word, deed and example, and made adult education work joyous and hopeful for us all. I am grateful for her life and teaching, and hope for peace for you. With respect.

Janet Isserlis

May 21, 2018

I knew Pat when she was in high school and College. Her wonderful obituarary makes me proud to say I I taught her. She was always an extraordinary student, excelling at whatever she put her mind to and especially drawn to those who most needed help.My prayer and sympathy are with her daughter and family. May they continue to know her guidance and love in ever-new ways.

Amy Hoey

May 15, 2018

Pat was a great inspiration to me when I graduated from Project Second Start and went on to the office classes. I have built a career that she would have been proud of me for. So sorry for your loss.

Sharon (Coulter)Crane

May 15, 2018

Sara, my thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your Mom. She was unique, a very special individual. I'm very thankful for the times I spent with her learning, teaching and working with different groups. May those memories of times you spent together serve of confort. Sending good thoughts to you and your family.

Luz Santana

May 15, 2018

My sincere condolences. I met Pat in 1974 through the New Hampshire Prisoners Association in and around the State Prison. She was a compassionate and a tireless advocate for prisoners' rights and dignity.

Paul Gunter

May 12, 2018

My condolences to family of Patty (Knight) Nelson. She was in my class at St.Joseph Grammar School. A wonderful person. Such an impressive life. I also knew her mother. Bunny Burke Donelson

Bunny Donelson

May 12, 2018

I'm very sorry for your loss. Pat was working at project second start when I attended the GED program and she was very instrumental in helping me to stick with it and believing in myself. She will be truly missed by the many lives she has touched. My thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. God bless you with wonderful memories and knowing all the wonderful things she did to help others.

Pam Picknell

May 12, 2018

Sara, my sympathy to you on the recent loss of your mom. I knew her many years ago from elementary school to my days at the Mount. She was a wonderful person and a great and caring teacher. I am sure she is happily re-united with your dad in heaven.
In sympathy,
Joyceann Fitzgerald-Guill

Joyceann Fitzgerald-Guill

May 11, 2018

Sara, you are in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve the loss of your beautiful mother. I am a Sister of Mercy and knew your mother in high school and entered the convent with her. She was truly a remarkable woman and touched the lives of so many people. May she Rest In Peace.
Blessings to you, Sara. Sister May Cronin

May 10, 2018

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