Margaret Miriam (Vernia) Nelson, 87, of Indianapolis passed away on January 16th, 2018. Born February 21st, 1930 in Chillicothe, OH to Thomas J. Vernia and Goldia M. (Bechtel), Margaret graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree before marrying Paul J. Nelson on April 27th, 1957 and moving to Cleveland, and ultimately to Indianapolis. She continued her education at IUPUI and the Saint Meinrad School of Theology, completing courses for an Ecclesial Lay Ministry certificate.
Margaret began work life at J.C. Penney in Chillicothe, OH, becoming an assistant (children's wear) buyer for the HigBee Co. department store in Cleveland. She also was employed as a cake decorator in Hart, and Crosstown bakeries in Indianapolis.
Margaret had a life-long talent and passion for journalism. As a writer and photographer for The Criterion, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, for 14 years, her focus was multicultural and educational concerns "with a knack for personality profiles." She retired in 2000 as senior editor. Margaret wrote for other publications, specifically Catholic News Service, Indiana Catholic Conference, Frame Fax, The Lawrence Journal and Topics Newspapers. She earned several awards including 2005 WPCI Communication of Achievement Award, 2005 NFPW finalist COA; 1997 and 2011 WPCI's Kate Milner Rabb service award; 1977 and 1978 WPCI Kleinhenz scholarship; 1987 and 1989 CASPER Indianapolis Community Service Council communications awards; 100 awards for writing, photography, layout and headlines from the Catholic, state and national press.
Margaret's creative talent was honored with over 500 awards including 22 sweepstakes from the Indiana State Fair for baking, sewing, decorating and photography, including 2 ArchWay cookie awards. Margaret also loved to decorate cakes for church, class, and work.
Margaret was a faithful and active member of the Catholic Church, from church organizations to crafting vestments and banners for priests in multiple parishes. In 1995, she was commended with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontiface award to a layperson.
Margaret enjoyed traveling abroad, making pilgrimages to Shrines of southern Europe, Holy Land, Rome, and Mexico. In the United States, Margaret attended various Catholic Press Association conventions and trips to Boston, Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee.
Margaret and her husband Paul had five children before he preceded her in death on December 9th, 1971. Survivors include daughter Maureen P. (Vince) Norris of Louisville, KY, son Paul M. Nelson (Darice) of San Diego, CA, daughter Kathleen M. Nelson of Indianapolis, and son Patrick C. Nelson (Shelly) of Covington, KY, and her brother Peter Vernia (Sue) of Rochester, MI. Margaret was also preceded in death by her brother Thomas Vernia, Jr. (Anne), her parents, and daughter Rosemary A. McElhenny (John).
A visitation service for Margaret will be held on Tuesday, January 23rd at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 4052 E. 38th St in Indianapolis from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM with a funeral mass starting at 2:00 PM. A private burial will be held after the funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers, Margaret's family asks that donations be made in her name to St. Andrew Catholic Church, St. Vincent de Paul Society, or the St. Meinrad Arch Abbey.
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