Mrs. Sydney Jean Nelson, 83, formerly of Fernandina Beach, presently of Yulee, passed away Tuesday afternoon, May 9, 2017, at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.
Born in Binghamton, N.Y., she was the eldest of three children born to the late David and Louise Phillips Morgan. She grew up in Binghamton and was a graduate of Binghamton Central High School. After high school, she attended Columbia University, from where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in nursing. Upon receiving her nursing degree, she worked as a registered nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. In the early 1960s, her husband’s career as a produce broker brought the family to Florida. Upon settling in Florida, she worked as a registered nurse in Miami, Delray Beach and Orlando before moving to Ocala. In Ocala, Mrs. Nelson worked as a volunteer at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in the soup kitchen, with church blood drives and with hospice. In later years, she moved to Atlantic Beach to be near her daughters before moving to Fernandina Beach in 1998. In addition to her former membership at Blessed Trinity, Mrs. Nelson had been a former member at St. John’s Catholic Church in Atlantic Beach and had joined St. Michael Catholic Church upon arriving in Fernandina Beach.
She was an avid gardener, favoring her many roses. Her children recall her open arms for any injured or abandoned animal and the bottle feedings of domestic and wild newborns. She worked in the yard every afternoon, often accompanied by her pet mallard duck, Harriet. She loved living near the beach, smelling the salt air and hearing the sound of the waves.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, David Morgan.
Mrs. Nelson leaves behind her husband, Donald Nelson of Yulee; their two daughters, Christina Nelson of Yulee, and Julie Gomez (Ray) of Jacksonville; and her sister, Beth Morgan of Endwell, N.Y.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at St. Michael Catholic Church, with the Rev. Jose Kallukalam, celebrant.
Her family will receive friends following the service in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia University School of Nursing, 617 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, or to BEAKS Wildlife Sanctuary, 12084 Houston Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32226.
Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors