Elaine Nelson

Elaine Farrow Nelson, 70, died peacefully at home on July 30, 2017 surrounded by her family after many wonderful years as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, friend and teacher to young and old alike.

She is survived by her date to the senior high school prom and husband of nearly 48 years, Joseph Nelson, their two daughters Katie Nelson Kozlowski (Mark) of Chicago, Illinois and Jill Nelson O’Grady (Tim) of St Louis, Missouri and her five beloved grandchildren Miles, Amelia and Sarah Kozlowski and Fiona and Declan O’Grady;  her brother Mark Farrow (Julie) of Naperville, IL, and her sisters Catherine Winters of Overland Park, Mary Farrow (Priest Walker) of Wheaton, IL, Anita Fahey (Kevin) of Phoenix, AZ, and many nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Joan Farrow, her sister, Roberta Voegele and her brother, Geoffrey Farrow.

Elaine earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University in 1987 and her Master of Science in Education from University of Kansas in 1995.  She passionately worked teaching 2nd and 5th grade in the Blue Valley School district for 17 years.   Her life’s most meaningful moments and greatest joys were traveling with her husband, raising their two daughters and offering unsolicited advice to them on raising her beloved grandchildren.   Her passions were gardening and any outdoor activity, even recess duty!  Her “happy place” was in the kitchen where she displayed her talent for cooking as illustrated by the title of her cookbook, The Kitchen is My Happy Place, published in 2014.

She will be remembered by all for the spunk she demonstrated in her daily life and the true grit she exemplified as she battled both ovarian cancer and acute myelogenous leukemia.  She could light up a room with her sparkling sense of humor (often with a hint of sarcasm).   She was a gifted athlete, and her daughters loved to brag when they were young that their mom could throw a football better than any of the neighborhood boys.  She rode her bike, scuba dived, hiked and played sports with her children and grandchildren well into her sixties.

Elaine was profoundly grateful to Joseph McGuirk, DO and Sunil Abhyankar, MD, the nurses and staff at the University of Kansas Health System Outpatient Blood and Marrow Transplant Program who were instrumental in safeguarding her health and well-being, and prolonging her life.

A Memorial service will be held on September 9, 2017 at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W 127th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213.  The family will receive visitors starting at 10:00 am followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her honor to the Outpatient Blood and Marrow Transplant Fund at the University of Kansas Health System.  Please make checks payable to The University of Kansas Health System and mail to The University of Kansas Health System, Fund Development, 2330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 305, Westwood, KS 66205.

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