Nancy Anne Nielsen

Nancy grew up in Beverly, Massachusetts, and attended the University of New Hampshire where she majored in mathematics. After graduation in 1957, she went to work for the Rand Corporation where she was in the first computer programming class for the first automated air defense system of the country. She was transferred to Topsham Air Force Station in Maine where she helped to install one of the first air defense systems and then to Santa Monica, California, where she worked on programming and testing that system. After a break in her career for the birth of her two sons, she returned to work on the Satellite Control Program. She authored several technical manuals for programmers and users of this system and trained Air Force Personnel, including astronauts. It was during this time that she was first listed in Who’s Who of American Women. She headed a team of designers and programmers who developed a prototype formatted display capability. This prototype was used as the basis for the design of the development of a new display system. In later years she headed a team of personnel that successfully performed the first ever mathematical validation of very large satellite system databases.

During her working years, Nancy became well known for her cake decorating abilities. At Church, she was known as “The Cake Lady” because of all the confirmation and wedding cakes that she made and donated to the church.

After retirement, Nancy took up playing the organ and became a member of an organ group that played at senior facilities around the Valley. She also enjoyed sewing and doing needlework.

Nancy started actively pursuing her family genealogy after retirement. She joined the West Valley Genealogical Society and became active there as The Family Tree Maker program instructor. She also lectured and participated in seminars where she helped others to learn how to use computers to enhance their genealogy information.

Nancy is survived by her husband Glenn; sons Peter Nielsen of Ventura, California, and Edward Nielsen of Castaic, California; grandchildren Katrine Nielsen, Toluallii Nielsen, and Donald Nielsen of Ventura, California; step granddaughter Samantha Omana of Castaic, California; and sister Gail York of Windham, Maine. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery November 18, 2014 at 12:00 noon.