Patricia Devine Nielsen

Patricia Devine Nielsen August 20, 1930 – July 12, 2009 Patricia Devine Nielsen, 78, went to be with her Lord, and is now reunited with her loved ones that have gone before her. Her body died peacefully at the home of her daughter, Krista Salome, in Waco, Texas on Sunday, July 12, 2009. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 17th, at St. Louis Catholic Church with Rev. David M. Leibham officiating. Internment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery where she will be buried next to her parents. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 16th at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey chapel followed by visitation with the family until 9:00 p.m. Pat, the oldest of five children, was born in Houston, Texas on August 20th, 1930 to Amelia “Mama Mia” and James “Daddy Jim” Devine. Raised in Houston, she graduated from Lamar High School in 1948. She attended the University of Texas in Austin where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority, Pierian Literary Society, and the University of Texas Newman Club. Pat was inducted into the Cardinal Society of the Newman Club, the highest honor bestowed upon any member. While attending the University of Texas, majoring in Fashion Design, she met and fell in love with Bob Nielsen. They were married on August 25, 1951 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. While Bob completed law school at the University of Texas, Pat worked full time, was active in the University of Texas Law Wives Club, and served as president of the Alpha Phi Alumnae Association. After completing law school, the couple lived briefly in Corpus Christi where Karen, their first daughter, was born, and Houston where Krista, their second daughter, was born. In 1959, they settled their family in Waco where all four of their sons, Keith, Kent, Kevin, and Kyle, were born. In 1974, the marriage ended. That same year she earned her real estate license. Now a single parent and working full time for Fran Conine Group Realtors, this amazing woman returned to college. On December 20th, 1978, Pat graduated from Baylor University with her BBA in Real Estate, at the age of 48. In 1981 she moved her license to Jim Stewart, Realtors. For the next 25 years, she was a sales associate at Jim Stewart, Realtors/Coldwell Banker. Her retirement in 2006 culminated a 32 year career as one of Waco’s most respected and beloved Realtors. During her career at Jim Stewart, Realtors, she was a Diamond Circle Producer for 23 years 1982 to 2004, and a Results Plus Producer 16 years 1987 to 2003. While her sales records reflect her success at selling, it was her talent of placing her clients into a home, and introducing them into the community that was her greatest achievement as a Realtor. For this reason, so many of her clients became her long time personal friends. Pat was devoted to her faith, her family, her friends, her church, and her community. She was a member of the Waco Study Club and dearly loved her Thursday Group. She helped found the library at St. Louis Catholic School. She was on the boards of Providence Foundation, East Terrace, and the Heart of Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross. She was a member of the Waco Association of Realtors, Junior League of Waco, Historic Waco Foundation, Alpha Phi Alumnae Association, Baylor Alumni Association, Texas Exes, Reicher Angels, and St. Louis Catholic Church Bereavement Committee. Pat was an avid supporter of the arts including the Waco Symphony Orchestra, Waco Performing Arts Company, McLennan Theatre, Waco Civic Theatre, and Waco Art Center. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, James Devine, her former husband, son-in-law, Rick Salome, grandson, Collin Salome, and granddaughter, Caroline Nielsen. Pat is survived by her six children, Karen Conine of Waco and husband, Bill, Krista Salome of Waco, Keith “Hap” Nielsen of Waco and wife, Lesley, Kent Nielsen of Corpus Christi and wife, Pat, Kevin Nielsen of Waco and wife, Laurie, Kyle Nielsen of Waco and wife, Kimberly; twelve grandchildren, Adam Conine of San Antonio and wife, Amanda, Aaron Conine of Eagle River, Alaska and wife, Anne, Cameron Salome of Waco and fiancé, Lacee Yates, Chandler Salome and Clayton Salome of College Station, Chelsea Nielsen and Lindsey Nielsen of Corpus Christi, Katy Lou Nielsen, Maggie Nielsen, Nicole Nielsen, Lane Nielsen, and Patrick Nielsen of Waco. She is also survived by a brother and two sisters, Tommy Devine of Houston and wife, Colette, Ann Nutt of Golden, Colorado and husband, Winston, Rosemary Boyce of Corpus Christi and husband, Charles, as well as a multitude of loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends. There are no words to properly express the family’s gratitude for the love, devotion, and care from Pat’s constant attendant and friend, Teresa Arias. The Lord has a special place in Heaven for her. Active pallbearers will be her six grandsons, Adam, Aaron, Cameron, Chandler, Clayton, Lane and her “Irish grandson,” Sean Ketterick. Honorary pallbearers will be her dearest and closest friends, Jeanine Doyle, Geneva Gamble, MaryAnn Parks, Zoe Ann Sheehy, Betty Slade, Kay Smith and Gloria Young. If you so desire, in lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the charity of your choice or to any of the many organizations Pat supported in her honor. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.