Cornelia "Nena" Conn Gordon

Nena was born July 13, 1943, in Jasper, Texas, the daughter of the late Leslie Cornelius and Janice (Anderson) Conn, who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was one sister, Sarah Conn Ferguson. Nena received her B.A. in Psychology from Southwestern (Texas) University, Master's in Counseling/Psychology from Ohio State University, R.N. degree from McLennan Community College and B.S. in Nursing from UT-Arlington. In her career, she was Assistant Dean of Women, then Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Cincinnati from 1966 to 1970 and worked for Liberty House in Honolulu from 1970 to 1973 where her husband served on the faculty at the University of Hawaii. The family moved to Waco where she earned the R.N. and B.S. in Nursing and began a nursing career that included Providence, Hillcrest and the VA hospitals before becoming an Instructor of Nursing at McLennan Community College in 1987. She remained on the faculty until her death.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, friend and caring colleague. Her passion was to see her nursing students succeed. Outside interests included gardening, cooking, travel, reading and for many years, ballroom dancing. As a very loving, caring person, Nena decided to be an organ donor, so while she is no longer with us, others might enjoy a better quality of life.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Gordon of Waco; son, Zachary Gordon of West; sisters, Carolyn Conn, and Mary Jane Conn O'Dell; brother-in-law, Stewart O'Dell of Elkins Lake, Texas; and brother, John Silas Conn and wife, Sue, of Lake Charles, La.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the American Heart Association , the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .