Nancy L. Neilson

Of Jackson, Michigan, passed away at the age of 77, at home on February 25, 2021 after a long illness. Nancy was the daughter of the late Max Strawn and Mary Lib Strawn Cooper. Nancy taught elementary school in Kalamazoo, Jackson and at R.F. Keicher School in Michigan Center. She was active in the Michigan Center Education Association, as well as the PEO Sisterhood, lending her creativity to programs and decorations for special events. A very creative teacher, Nancy directed plays, and sometimes came to class in costume, most notably Miss Nelson from Miss Nelson is Missing. Nancy was a caring teacher, who went to former students’ sports events, forming lasting friendships. After she retired, she continued to come up with creative ideas for her friends who worked with children and senior citizens. Nancy loved reading, children’s literature, crafting and gardens. She loved to travel in younger days, spending winters with family in Florida. Nancy is survived by her sister Betty Strawn McLeod of Windham, ME; nieces, Shelley Bristol Mease of FL, Jennifer McLeod-Marenghi of ME and nephews, Steven Bristol of GA, Andy Bristol of Kalamazoo and Bryan McLeod of ME; two great nephews and three great nieces. Her parents and sister, Carolyn Bristol, predeceased her. She also had very special friends who she thought of as family: Jeanine & Kirk Hoffman and their daughters, Kaitlyn and Alysa, Pam Resor, Nikki Radziewicz, and Delia & Eric Johnson. Per her wishes cremation has taken place and she will be laid to rest in the family plot at Mount Evergreen Cemetery. The family would like to thank the wonderful people at All About You and Henry Ford Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either All About You for their Philanthropic Fund (716 Tomlinson St., Jackson MI 49203) or Michigan Center Education Scholarship Fund (400 State St., Michigan Center MI 49254).