Kathleen Bernard Nelson

After a long and valiant battle with cancer, Kathleen Bernard Nelson passed away on July 13, 2010, in Houston at home with family by her side. Kathy was born on June 29, 1946, in New Iberia, Louisiana, to Hugh and Laverne Bernard. She attended Bellaire High School, and later Sam Houston State University, where she achieved a master’s degree in biology and found her calling as a teacher.

Kathy devoted many years to teaching, and her vibrant, challenging lessons never stopped at the classroom door. She was a friend, confidant, and mother to countless students and fellow teachers at Kingwood High School and later, Pershing Middle School in the neighborhood where she grew up. Kathy stressed the importance of lifelong learning and the pursuit of dreams, no matter the odds, and expected nothing less of her students than she would of herself. She was more interested in teaching students how to learn rather than memorizing to pass a test.

Ever the student herself, she possessed an endless passion for travel and enjoyed the study of foreign culture, immersing herself in the customs and languages of the countries she visited. Her interests carried her throughout Southeast Asia, parts of Mexico, and more recently, Italy, a country she adored.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband Don Nelson, and fondly remembered by her children, Brent and Erin Sloan, and Derek Nelson; grandchildren, Bailey and Ethan Sloan; sisters Ginger Teague, Cheryl Waters, Cindy Schwab, and brother Doug Bernard.

Special thanks to those family and friends who encouraged and supported Kathy: Kelly Sloan, Kristin Nelson, Sean and Erika Sloan, Pasquale Romano, Becky Bernard, Peggy Booth, Margie Sloan, Brenda Harrison, Hope Goodson, Kim and Bob Jackson, Diane Seaton, Dr. Jubilee Brown and the nurses and staff at M.D. Anderson.

Family Visitation will be from 11:00 am to Noon, with a memorial service to celebrate Kathy’s life to start at Noon on Saturday, July 17, 2010, at Levy Funeral Directors Chapel with a reception to follow. You are invited to join the family in praising the Lord for a remarkable life that was lived to the fullest. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Communities in Schools (www.cishouston.org) or Neuhaus Education Center (www.neuhaus.org).