Nancy Nelson

Nancy Nelson (nee Brett) (Anne Veronica) passed away  peacefully on Sunday, July 7, 2024.  Nancy was 88 years old.  She was a loving, caring and kind Mother, Mom Mom, Mimi,  daughter, sister, cousin and friend.  She was the daughter of Thomas J Brett and Margaret  Frain (nee Horkan) both of County Mayo, Ireland, Towns of Kilkelly and Charlestown. 

Legacy

       Nancy grew up in East Germantown, Philadelphia, the fifth child of a large Irish family of 7 children.  She attended and graduated from Immaculate Conception Grammar School and Immaculate Conception Business School, having excelled in secretarial studies.  Her first position was with Wills Eye Hospital as a secretary, followed by a position at General  Refractories Company as a secretary to the Treasurer.  She married John Rakus in 1956,  whose marriage  produced  her greatest treasures: her children:  Cindy, Bob, George and John.  She moved to New Jersey where she raised her  children and worked until retirement for Clearview Regional High School.  At Clearview she cherished Mike Toscano, her boss and also Terrie Olivo, dear friend who served as Nancy's health advocate, always keeping Doctor's orders and prescriptions organized.  She  married  Joe Nelson in 1984 and enjoyed many happy and joyful years until he passed in 2005;   Even Joe's nieces from FL and CA loved her as Aunt Nancy.  

       Nancy retired at Cardinal Village Community in Sewell, NJ where she enjoyed an apartment near her sister Kate in the same community.  There she met wonderful friends who enjoyed many social affairs with Nancy,  who  loved to dance and was always the best dancer since she was a teenager.  She  enjoyed spending time with friends and children, enjoyed a glass of chardonnay, loved to party,  loved to dress well,  had fun with her Terrestria  girls group, had wonderful times since childhood with our Brett and Carroll cousins, even enjoying a Bermuda cruise with two of the Carroll lads. Unlimited great times with her four sisters: Kate, Peggy, Eileen and Maureen.    They spent time together at every opportunity, whether it was Florida or Avalon, NJ,  or just the  lunches, dinners  and celebrations along the way where they took a million pictures of their precious times celebrating how blessed they were to have each other. Nancy had been a member of the Mayo Association of Philadelphia for 20 years, as were all her sisters!!  There was never a time that Nancy wasn't smiling.  Whenever we heard the Frank Sinatra song: " Nancy with the Laughing Face", it was as if it was written for Nancy.

        Her children and grandchildren were her delight, making sure she never missed a sports game, or school event  with her children growing up.  Even her children's  friends knew Nancy's sweet face and loving nature. Nancy always put others before herself; nothing was too much trouble for her to do for you.  

      Nancy is survived by her children:   Bob (Patty) Rakus;  George ( Dr Margaret) Rakus;    and John (Christina);    Grandchildren: Christina Rakus;  Kevin Rakus (Mandy);  Dr. Taylor Mazick (Dr. Matthew);  Michael Rakus;  Kelly Rakus;  as well as  Logan Johnson  and  Emily Johnson,  step grandchildren.  Great Grandchildren include  cherished Olivia and  sweet Bennett Rakus, while awaiting a third great grand.    Nancy was sadly  predeceased by sister:  Kate Tumolo (Victor),  brother Jack Brett (Kay ), brother Tom Brett (Joanne), sister  Eileen Flynn (Ed) and survived by sisters Margaret (Peggy)  Brett Wittekind (Ray, deceased) and Maureen Brett Saxon (Bernie), as well as her 22 devoted nieces and nephews.

      Her smile will continue to  light up our lives as we gaze now at Nancy's star!

Farewell Tribute

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation Tuesday, July 16 from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the McGuinness Funeral Home - Washington Township, 573 Egg Harbor Road, Sewel, NJ and Wednesday, July 17  9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo R.C. Church, 176 Stagecoach Road, Sicklerville, NJ where a Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 AM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Berlin, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Unite For Her 127 East Chestnut Street, First Floor, West Chester, PA 19380 www.uniteforher.org