Sally Van Nelson

1954 - 2026

Sally Van Nelson

Sally Van Nelson, age 71, passed away on January 23, 2026, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. Born on November 21, 1954, in Greensboro, N.C., to the late Daniel "DB" Nelson and Alice Brown Nelson. Sally was raised in Kernersville and graduated from East Forsyth High School, Class of 1973. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977, and a Master of Education in Counseling from Boston University in 1985. Sally dedicated her career to child psychiatric nursing, working at UNC Hospitals and Duke University Hospital before moving to Boston in 1984. She spent 30 years at Boston Children's Hospital, advancing from staff nurse to Nursing Director of the inpatient psychiatric unit for children ages 5–18 and serving on the Psychiatry Steering Committee. In 2013, she helped create and lead the Behavioral Response Team (BRT), a psychiatric consult service for children admitted to non-psychiatric units. Under her leadership, the program became a permanent, nationally replicated model focused on early intervention, safety, and staff support. Sally was so admired by her lifelong Boston colleagues that four separate retirement celebrations were held in her honor.

After retiring in 2017, Sally returned to Kernersville to be closer to family. Family meant everything to Sally, and she was fiercely devoted and protective of those she loved. She cherished friendships across the country and locally, offering unwavering loyalty, generosity, and support. When Sally saw a need, she always stepped in to help. Sally was an avid UNC Tar Heels and Boston Red Sox fan who loved all sports, especially baseball, which made her feel closer to her father. She was famously competitive at card and board games and loved to travel, visiting many states and countries.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Ann Nelson of Kernersville; her nieces, Danielle Turner of Kernersville and Katie Brantley (Jeremy Brantley) of Castalia, N.C.; and her close friend, Bobby White of Wake Forest, N.C. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Danny Nelson.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 14th, at Union Grove Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, N.C., with Pastor Steve Roberson officiating. The family will receive family and friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the service to follow.