Susanne Nelson
December 17, 1946 - October 18, 2021
Birth Place: Cleveland, OH
Place of Passing: Chapel Hill, NC
Husband of 26 Years: Stanley Nelson
Son: Benjamin Nelson (Isabel)
Grandchildren: Aaron, Natalia, Frank, and Elena Nelson
Brothers: Michael Skinto (Susan) and Paul Skinto (Mary)
Sister: Michalene Bouzon (Chris)
Susanne Nelson
December 17, 1946 – October 18, 2021
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – The daughter of a coal miner, Susanne Nelson was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 17th, 1946. The first in her family to go to college, she graduated from West Virginia University in 1969 with a master’s degree in education. While studying at WVU, she met her husband of 26 years, Stanley Nelson. She taught a Head Start program for preschoolers living in poverty, and brought the gift of learning to countless children as a public school teacher in California, Maine, West Virginia, and North Carolina. In 1995, she earned a PhD in Gifted Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is survived by her sister Michalene, her brothers Michael and Paul, her son Benjamin, her daughter-in-law Isabel and her four grandchildren, Aaron, Natalia, Frank and Elena.
A founding member of “Meal Maestros”, she was an amazing chef and a phenomenal baker who was always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes. Susanne was a lover of long walks, traveling anywhere, and the journaling of her life. She was known for her sharp wit, her sense of humor, a kind spirit, and for being a great listener. She beat cancer twice and walked the equivalent of 5 indoor marathons while hospitalized for a stem cell transplant. She was a gardener and writer, a poet and a friend. Her positive attitude inspired those around her. Her smile would make even the grumpiest children smile back. She will be greatly missed, and the world will be a little less bright without her.
Susanne Nelson asked to have her body donated to a medical school to help future physicians better care for patients. A Celebration of Life Memorial will take place at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens at 2:00pm (vaccinated persons only please) on Saturday, November 13th. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Community Foundation of the Virginias: 128 North St A, Bluefield, WV 24701.
“Notice and enjoy the simple wonders around you: new spring greens, a Carolina blue sky… and know that I will be there watching you smile and enjoying it for me.”
-Susanne Nelson, When I Am No Longer
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