Patricia Joan Nielson

Born: October 31, 1943

Passed Away: December 24, 2015

Memorial Service

Pat will be laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO, on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. The service will be held at the Pavilion of Reflection with a reception following hosted by Pat’s daughters. A separate service with the Nielson family still to be determined. Pat wished that donations would be made to Denver Rescue Mission.

Patricia Joan Corazza McNamara Nielson, 72, of Lakewood, CO, passed away the afternoon of Thursday, December 24, 2015 at her residence at The Meridian. She was born on October 31, 1943, in Denver, CO to John J. and Lavinia M. (Hague) Corazza. Surviving are three daughters, Lisa Papke (m. to Steven), Heather Holman (m. to Kevin), Meghan Merson (m. to Michael) and grandchildren: Samuel, Sarah, Connor, Malaney, Darby, Molly and Benjamin. Her second husband, Stanley Eugene Nielson and his children: Shane Nielson (m. to Patti), Stacey Ross (m. to Kerry), and Stuart Nielson (m. to Kim) and their children: Brandi, Chelsea, Josh, Elise, Mallory, Bailey and Carter. She was preceded in death by her parents and first husband, Joseph Alan McNamara.

Pat grew up and lived in Denver, Colorado. She attended and graduated from North High School, Class of 1962. She attended Doane College in Nebraska and continued her college studies in Denver. She married Joseph Alan McNamara on September 7, 1963 and they were married for 20 years, divorced in 1984. Pat was dedicated to raising her girls in the church and faithfully attended Our Savior’s Reformed Church in Lakewood for over 30 years. Pat found a strong community of friends and church family there for many years and served the church in various positions.

Pat enjoyed raising goats, “Felicity and Rosebud”, gardening, yoga, attending book groups, crafting and decorating. She began working with the Jefferson County R-1 school district in 1974 and worked in various positions until her retirement as an Auditor in 2004. Pat’s pride and joy was her mountain retreat in Georgetown, Colorado and affectionately referred to as “Camp Georgetown”, many holidays, birthdays and special occasions were celebrated with family. Pat took great pride in making her home beautiful and inviting, and her distinctive and unique esthetic was always warm and welcoming.

Pat and Stanley Nielson were married in 1986. Pat and Stan in the early years of their marriage enjoyed hiking, photography, four wheeling, cooking, gardening, and reading. However, what Pat enjoyed most was being a “Nana”, as she preferred to be called, to her grandchildren. Pat spoiled her grandchildren and took great pride in choosing the perfect birthday or Christmas gift for one and all. She spent many hours attending games, concerts and events of the many grandchildren and was proud of each and every one of their accomplishments.

Pat was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010 and later doctors adjusted the diagnosis to MSA (Multi-System Atrophy), a Parkinsonian like illness that is fatal. Pat was active throughout the progression of her illness and she found ways to use her energy to impact others positively. She was often found in her last years working on projects for the neighbor girls, offering assistance to her own care givers, helping someone’s grandchild, working on investigating her Italian heritage and she was devoted to maintaining relationships with her friends from all parts of her life, some who were lifelong.

Pat was courageous in her fight with MSA and one of her wishes at death was to donate her brain to the Harvard Brain Bank in order to help in the research for this disease.

If you wish to honor her memory, please consider a donation to the Denver Rescue Mission in her name. Her daughters will host the January 23, 2016 celebration of her life at Crown Hill Cemetery with a reception to follow. The Nielson family will have a separate service that is still to be determined.