RAMONA NELSON

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Ramona Pabon Nelson, of 102 Home St., Warren, Pa. died Saturday evening, May 9, 2009 at the Warren Manor Nursing Home following a brief illness.

She was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, to the late Ramon Pabon and Eulalia Lozano. She resided in Warren since 1967 and was a former resident of Santa Rosa, Calif.., Hawaii, Japan and Dayton, Ohio.

She was a graduate of the Underwood School of stenography in San Juan and attended the University of Puerto Rico to train as a teacher during the Korean Conflict. A Registered Nurse (RN), she was a 1951 graduate of the Bayamon District School of Nursing, Puerto Rico. She was licensed as an RN in Hawaii, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico. She worked as a surgical nurse in Puerto Rico from 1951 through 1954, and subsequently was employed as an RN at the Veterans Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, the St. Francis School of Nursing and Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was nurse in charge of the emergency room and six operating rooms at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Santa Rosa, Calif.

She was employed for more than nine years as a RN at Warren General Hospital, and for more than 16 years at Warren State Hospital, retiring as a psychiatric head nurse in 1987. Mrs. Nelson then went on to work as an RN for the VA Hospital in Erie, and for several area nursing homes, including being a night supervisor at the former Kinzua Valley Health Care facility in Warren.

While living in Japan when her husband served as a sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, Mrs. Nelson did volunteer work in the Diet parliamentary building in Tokyo. She was later an active volunteer with the Warren Unit of the American Cancer Society, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Warren County Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, and the R.U.O.K. elderly safety call program.

Mrs. Nelson was selected for Who's Who in American Nurses. She was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and former member of the Catholic daughters of America. She was a member of the Warren Senior Center, Area Agency on Aging, Lamp Lighters of Warren (NAMI), Retired Pennsylvania Nurses Association and served as publicity chairwoman for the Warren Chapter of Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees (PARSE). She was a graduate of the first class of the Warren County Sheriff's Academy.

She enjoyed playing in the Salvation Army Kitchen Band and serving in the soup kitchen at St. Joseph Church. In addition to the care she gave others through her profession as an RN and as a volunteer, she was generous with her time and talent on behalf of individuals in her community. She donated to numerous causes, giving in a quiet way to help and support others. She visited shutins at nursing homes and the Warren State Hospital.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Nelson's priorities were her country, her family and her church. She spoke several languages and was a world traveler.

Surviving are two sons, Kimio L. Nelson and his wife, Cindy, of Clarendon and Michael D. Nelson and his wife, Kristen Helmick of Beaver, Pa., a nephew whom she raised, David Pabon of Warren; two brothers, Felix Pabon of Puerto Rico and the Rev. Bart Pabon of Florida; two sisters, Mary Pabon and Reina Pabon, both of Puerto Rico; five grandchildren, Kara and Marissa Nelson, and Suki, Ben and Taiji Nelson; a former daughterinlaw, Elaine Rhodes; two step grandchildren and three step greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Nelson, who died February 9, 1993; three brothers, Carmelo, Jose Manuel and Lin Pabon; and one sister, Julia Lozano Rosado.

Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, Pa. on Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Joseph Church on Wednesday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Walter E. Packard, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Those wishing to place memorials may do so through the St. Joseph Church Educational Center Fund, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, PA 16365, or Hospice of Warren County, 2 Crescent Park, Warren, PA 16365, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Email condolences may be expressed by visiting www.lewisfuneralhome inc. com.