Kathleen A. Nelson, 91, of Pinehurst, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.
Kathleen was born on Nov. 27, 1931, in Syracuse, N.Y., to Edward and Margaret (Kennedy) Byrne. On Aug. 20, 1955, she married her husband of 62 years, William A. Nelson, who preceded her in death on July 30, 2018.
She is survived by her sons, William E. Nelson, MD; Robert Nelson (Oliver), Mark Nelson (Sharon), Kevin Nelson (JoAnne), Brendan Nelson; and her daughter, Anne Nelson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Justin Nelson (Kerri), Kyle Nelson (Rachel) Miranda Nelson, Sheridan Nelson, Felicia Zepp, Dylan Zepp, Dakotah Nelson and Parker Nelson; and her great–grandchildren, Haley Nelson, Mason Nelson, Kendra Colon and Keira Serrani; as well as her sister, Patricia Field.
Kathleen and Bill moved from Camp Hill, Pa., to Southern Pines in 1993, and then to the home they designed at Pinehurst No. 6, March 31, 1994. Kathleen’s life centered around her family and her Catholic faith. She attended St. Anthony of Padua High School in Syracuse, New York. She then entered the Novitiate of Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet in New York. Due to health concerns, she left the order but maintained her strong Catholic faith, and subsequently married Bill, shortly after graduating from The State University of New York at Oswego, in 1955.
Kathleen was Confraternity of Christian Doctrine lay instructor at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Camp Hill, Pa.; and was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church congregation in Pinehurst, where she was an Adorer in Perpetual Adoration, and a member of the Women of Sacred Heart as well as the women’s knitting ministry.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the kindness and caring shared with their mother and family by the caregivers and staff of The Home Choice Network, as well as the physicians, nurses, therapists and staff at the Moore Regional Hospital and the University of North Carolina rehabilitation centers.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 300 Dundee Road, Pinehurst.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the University of North Carolina, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The family will receive friends at the Boles Funeral Home, 35 Parker Lane, Pinehurst, on Wed, Oct. 4, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Online condolences may be left at www.Bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
