Dianne C Nelson

Birth date: July 4, 1947

Birthplace: Tucson, Arizona

Died on: June 11, 2023

Areas of Achievement: Healthcare, Philanthropy, Religion, Social Services, Home Making, Gourmet Cooking, Friendship

Dianne C. Nelson, 75, of Tucson, Arizona, peacefully gained her Angel Wings on June 11, 2023. Her husband Bill Nelson was by her side, along with Sr. Irma and several family members. She leaves behind her nephew Brian Stinnett, niece Jamie Stinnett, 61 family members and countless friends who will mourn her crossing for a lifetime.

Dianne was a gentle heart in our midst who had chosen service to others as her conscious purpose in life. The beneficiaries of her goodwill were countless and range from the inner circle of her close family to the local healthcare community, to the local business community and beyond to the national Nurses Organization of the Veteran Affairs (NOVA). Dianne worked tirelessly and graciously, often behind the scenes, to support the aspirations and development of others without care for repayment or hint of recognition. When called upon, she accepted leadership positions and graced those organizations with her clear vision and organizational skills.

Dianne had a passion for the tenets of the Catholic Church since her young adulthood and has found countless ways to support her Catholic community, not just in Tucson but throughout the whole of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet (CSJ) organization. She entered the Sisters community in 1966 and received the habit and the name Sister Dianne in 1967. She followed her heart and left the CSJ in 1970 to discover other unknown opportunities, which she soon learned included a life of nursing and a large range of supporting the community of nurses throughout the area.

In 1971, she was joined in holy matrimony with her soul mate, William I. Nelson. They made their home on the west side of Tucson nestled near the Tucson Mountains. A successful marriage that others admired and strived to achieve. With this union came the enjoinment of two diverse families to celebrate life’s joys and share its sorrows. As the years unfolded, Dianne’s personal commitment to each of the family members was unending; she was the rock of the family and created peace among this unique and determined group of people. Bill still refers to her as “his bride” and forever asserts that “all things are good in life if you just do what the nurse tells you to do.”

Dianne received her nursing degree from the University of Arizona in 1973, at which time she joined the nursing staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tucson. Dianne served our nation’s veterans in outpatient surgery, home health care and many other nursing capacities for 34 years before retiring in 2007. During her tenure at the VA, she reached out to the Tucson nursing community and in 1994 co-founded the Tucson Nurse Week Foundation which originated and promotes the “Showcase of Tucson Nurses Conference,” “Healthy Fair,” and the “Fabulous 50 Gala,” The Showcase of Tucson Nurses is a sharing educational conference where, each year, over 200 southern Arizona nurses exchange innovative health care ideas during a continuing education conference and included an awards banquet to recognize outstanding nurses who had gone above and beyond their normal daily job responsibilities in demonstrating their concern for humanity and had made significant contribution(s) to the local nursing community. In 1997, Dianne was herself honored as one of the Fabulous 50.

Dianne walked in harmony with those around her. Her empathy for those in need, her desire to serve, and the depth of her character changed the various associations to which she has belonged. In 1992, Dianne was elected to serve as President of the Tucson chapter of NOVA; in 1995, she was elected to the national NOVA Board of Directors; in 1996, she was given the Secretaries Award for Excellence in Nursing; in 1998 she became National Membership Secretary of NOVA; in 2000, she served on the Nurse Qualifications Board, setting advancement standards for VA nurses nationwide; and in 2004, Dianne was elected National President of NOVA. As president, Dianne’s team took a new approach to educating members of Congress regarding VA issues by holding legislative briefings for members of the House and Senate Veterans Committees’ staff. She also made significant advancements and enhanced recognition for NOVA nationwide for their care of Veterans, our heroes.

In 1998, GLHN nominated Dianne C. Nelson for U of A’s “The Women’s Plaza of Honor” which publicly and permanently celebrates women who have made significant contributions to the history of Arizona or have enriched the lives of others.

Dianne’s enormous generosity and expertise in cuisine delighted all who attended the regional and national events across the country for the Central region of APPA (CAPPA) and Rocky Mountain region of APPA (RMA). These countless events, held for over 30 years, wowed the attendees who anticipated the events each year. She planned, procured, prepared, and produced the annual GLHN Open House events from 1992 – 2018, which attracts businesspeople from all over the country and has become renowned for its extraordinary range of unique and delicious foods, all hand prepared by Dianne. She hosted every company “Camporee” weekend atop Mt Lemmon ensuring that all employees and their families enjoyed fabulous food while “roughing it” at the camp site from 1988 - 2018. She provided food and beverage for enumerable GLHN functions and has hosted the company’s Christmas parties in her home many times over the years. Her mastery of gourmet foods was amazing to all, and her selfless contributions to the firm were unequaled by any “outsider” in shaping the vibrant and proud culture of the firm. Her amazing displays of delectable foods and beverages were just a part of her elegance; she was a beautiful example of what it means to be a true Lady of Grace.

In 1987, Dianne and Bill opened their home for family Easter and Thanksgiving dinners, family birthday parties, and for weddings, graduations, and Celebrations of Life ceremonies, one to remember was Dianne’s younger brother, Bob Stinnett. We were always amazed at the table spread of delightful foods and carefully selected decorations to celebrate the occasion. Dianne was a master chef and caterer who enjoyed every minute of having a party to be the best possible experience for each person attending, creating special memories for all of us.

In January of 1980, Bishop Green officially established the parish of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, affectionately known as SEAS. Reverend Thomas Millane was assigned as the first pastor. For the first two years, the SEAS community of approximately 85 families met at Butterfield School for Sunday masses. During this time, a building fund was established, and construction of the parish center building was complete and ready for the first mass in September of 1982. Father Tom asked Dianne to be the wedding coordinator for SEAS. For over 12 years Dianne scheduled wedding rehearsals and led the wedding party through all of the steps. Her organizational skills provided the structure to an otherwise potentially chaotic day.

Groundbreaking took place on December 19, 1993, for a new church that would seat 1,700 people. The first mass celebrated was Easter of 1995. Father Millane remained pastor until 2006 when Father Joe Lombardo took over. Father Ed Lucero took over as pasture in 2018.

Dianne and Bill made personal commitments to the Sisters of St. Joseph Associates program in 1991, and over the years had dedicated themselves to living within the principals of the program as “companions on a shared spiritual journey” and worked continuously in support of the Sisters and other Associates. In 2002, Dianne became a member of the Associates Board, and in 2009, she was asked to become the Los Angeles Region Director of Associates, a challenge which she accepted and has plunged into with the full measure of her generous heart.

All who had the honor of knowing Dianne will miss her kind heart, her gentle way in helping you understand what the next step was, her soft voice explaining how to cook something, her ability to put anyone at ease just by her calm presence, and her never-ending generosity that she shared with so many people over the years. May Bill’s Dianne, rest in peace in the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ, until they meet again.

Friday June 30th 2023

Funeral Mass and Rosary will be held at

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church

8650 N Shannon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85742

https://www.seastucson.org/

(520) 297-7357

Rosary starting at 10:30 a.m.

Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m.

After Mass, starting at 1 p.m., there will be a gathering in Dianne’s honor. We will share some of her favorite recipes, photos through the years, and some of her inspiring moments of a life well lived.

Please contact Mary Nelson [email protected] to RSVP for which events you will be attending.

• The Rosary at 10:30 a.m.

• Mass at 11:00 a.m.

• Gathering in Dianne’s Honor with buffet starting at 1:00pm

Buttes at Reflections

9800 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eijVrF4hJfNY4Edt5

RSVP for Rosary, Mass, and Gathering in Dianne’s Honor

CONTACT PERSON

Mary Nelson

520-400-9364

[email protected]

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Dignity Memorial

Dianne’s direct link

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tucson-az/dianne-nelson-11335245

Dianne’s favorite charities

For Dianne’s favorite charities, see below.

NOVA

To Educate, Communicate, and Advocate for the Veterans Administration Nurse Professionally, Personally, and Logistically.

Donate link https://www.vanurse.org/page/Donate

Tucson Nurses Week Foundation

The goals of the Foundation and the Nurses Week events are to enhance education and research among Tucson-area Nurses and to celebrate excellence by recognizing Nurses in a manner commensurate with the roles Nurses play in the health of the community.

Donate link https://tucsonnursesweekfoundation.org/sponsor/donate

Mary Raymer

She devoted her endless efforts to promote the nursing profession and nursing education. Mary worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for over 38 years. She fought tirelessly to ensure that registered nurses in the VA were recognized and rewarded for advanced education.

Donate link https://www.vanurse.org/page/MaryRaymerScholarshipFund

Southern Arizona Nurse Honor Guard

The Southern Arizona Nurse Honor Guard exists to comfort loved ones and honor fallen nurses for their dedication and commitment in their compassionate service to others. We will honor all without regard for religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Donate link https://www.soaznhg.org/history

Donate information

[email protected] | (520) 222-7030

Donations ~ please use this address for checks, the PayPal link for electronic:

Southern Arizona Nurse Honor Guard

c/o Jan Allen, Treasurer

10035 E Paseo San Bruno

Tucson, Az 85747

Thank you for reading our precious Dianne’s Story,

Sincerely, Bill Nelson and family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Nelson family.