Patsy Nelson

Patsy M. Nelson

June 23, 2011

Our Mom, Grandma Patsy, Nana, Auntie, and G-ma, went to be with God on Thursday, June 23, 2011 in Reno, Nevada after suffering a stroke on June 20th. She was surrounded by love. Family and friends kept bedside vigil 'round the clock and, peacefully, she left her damaged body to be with her Allen (Nelson), beloved husband of over 57 years. Patsy was THE real Energizer Bunny. Eleven major surgeries including breast cancer, a damaged heart and several neurologic diseases could not stop her, she just slowed down. She is welcomed to eternal joy by her: Nephews Manuel, Richard and Ben Jr., Sister Tillie, Brother Ben, Brother-in-law Max, Sister-in-law Francis, Mother Aurelia, Father Sebastian and numerous other beloved family members and friends. Patsy touched so many people in her life with her sense of humor and strength. The world is a little dimmer now that she is not in it. She saw something worth loving in everyone and practiced compassion every day. Patsy was a devout Catholic; she faithfully served at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in various roles for over 50 years. After her Allen died, she served at the nursing facility that cared for him by bringing her patients holy communion and assisting some to attend Mass (even though she was older than most of the patients she assisted!) She was an inspiration, born in 1922, receiving high school and business college diplomas and worked over twenty years for the City of Albuquerque. She loved to line dance and dancing in general; she laughed easily and often and loved verbal sparring just for the energy it produced. Nana was an excellent cook, baker and chili maker. She taught so many people how to (properly) "put up" green chili in her kitchen. Patsy is survived by her children and grand children: Gwinn Nelson (Reno, NV); Greg and Susan Nelson, Daniel Gladis (Aliquippa, PA); David Nelson (soon to be a Medical Doctor about which she was especially proud, Lexington, KY); LaVonne and Ron Brooks (Reno, NV); Maria Archuleta (Alb. NM); Brother Jose Cordova and Sister-in-law Pricilla Cordova (Mariposa, CA ); Dora Velasquez (Alb. NM); and many nieces and nephews from the Archuleta, Cordova, Madrid and Nelson "clans" who loved their Auntie so much. Patsy's "adopted" children and grand children include: Ken, Theresa and Matthew Callahan; Miranda and Sean McMurray; Raymond Jones; Father Tom; (all of Alb. NM); Isobella Miller, Dante, Dominic and Grace Orlando, Rosalie Miller and the James Miller family (Reno, NV). Funeral services were conducted on July 1st in Albuquerque, N.M. A memorial celebration of her life will be celebrated in Reno, NV on Thursday, July 7th at 5:30pm at the Center for Spiritual Living on Lakeside. (P.S. God, did mom arrive with the same color shoes on both feet? We're all just wondering.)