She graduated from Jefferson High School, attended John Tarleton College and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor of Business degree.
Mary Nel had various secretarial jobs including those with the Foreign Service and Army Attache where she was assigned to embassies and Consulates in Germany, India, and Brazil.
She retired from Brooke Army Medical Center as a Personnel Staffing Specialist.
Mary Nel was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
She is survived by her brother, Heino Staffel, Jr. of San Antonio, TX.; her nephew, Stephen L. Kahle and wife; great nephews, Travis and fiancée; Ehren Kahle and wife; Zane Kahle, and great-great nephew, Tehren Kahle of California.
