Kathleen Nelson

Kathleen Nelson lived a long and full life, overcoming difficulties and challenges to experience even more joy and adventures. 

Kathy was born Kathleen Marie Liggett on July 28, 1942 in Oak Park Illinois, just outside of Chicago to her father John and mother Virginia. Kathy was born into a typical Irish Catholic family with many relatives living nearby, however she was an only child and her father was absent by the time she was just seven years old.

When Kathy was still in school her mother moved to Phoenix to live with Kathy’s aunt Mae, and she went from the cold, windy winters and humid summers near Lake Michigan to the warm and dry climate of The Valley of the Sun. Eventually mother and daughter relocated again, this time to Southern California, where they shared a home in La Crescenta.

When Kathy was eighteen she enlisted in the Navy Reserves and thus began one of her many adventures. As part of her training she parachuted not once, but twice, from naval aircraft because she blacked out the first time. Not long after she went on a blind date and met Bob Nelson, the man she would marry in 1962 to when they eloped at a small wedding chapel in Las Vegas. Thus began her greatest adventure, one that would last fifty-seven years until his sudden passing in 2021. During that time she gave birth to two daughters, Cindy in 1966 and Kim in 1969. A son that was stillborn between the two was one of those difficulties that is sadly often part of life.

Kathy and Bob lived in several places until they finally purchased a home in Temple City, where they resided for over forty years. She was a busy wife and mother there, participating in activities at St Luke's Catholic Church, planning birthday parties for the whole family, leading Girl Scout troops, and driving to and from softball games and drill team practice, among other activities. Her’s was the “cool house” on the block, with many summer days spent poolside filled with neighbor kids and her children’s friends.

Kathy enjoyed antiquing with her husband, fine dining, travel, movies, a day at the races, and the typical Irish Catholic love of St Patrick’s Day and Notre Dame football. Her home was filled with vintage candy scales, crystal, and wooden clocks, one of her favorite places was The Derby in Arcadia, she often traveled the world with her husband when he was sent overseas for work including visiting ancient ruins in Greece and riding on camelback around the pyramids of Egypt, she regularly caught a matinee or horse racing at Santa Anita Park with her mother, enjoyed corned beef every March 17, and often called her son-in-law on Saturdays in the fall to ask if he was watching the Fighting Irish on TV that day. 

As time passed and Bob neared retirement the couple still kept traveling, cruising Alaska or exploring California from San Diego to Hearst Castle. Even limited mobility didn’t stop her from enjoying the animals at the San Diego Safari Park, where her adult children had trouble keeping up with her scooter as it wound through the various exhibits.

After she lost Bob, life became quieter, and her health gradually began to limit her ability to enjoy things outside her home. She always looked forward to visits with her two girls, and the daily phone calls they made to her. In late March of 2025 she needed medical attention, and was admitted to the hospital. Finally, after thirty- four days and three hospitals, Kathy’s heart could take no more. She passed away at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena at the age of 82 with her daughters by her side. She is survived by her daughters Cindy and Kim, and their husbands Thomas and Jim. Her joy for life and generosity to the ones she loved will always be remembered.