Phyllis A. (Nielsen) Van Nest, age 84, resident of Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, Maryland, died on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at her home.
Born November 15, 1931 in Orange, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Harry L. and Irene E. (Scheld) Nielsen. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Melbourne P. Van Nest.
Phyllis graduated from West Orange High School, and Trenton State College (now College of NJ) with a degree in Music Education. She taught school music in the East Hanover, NJ and the West Orange, NJ Public Schools. She was passionate about music and using her musical gifts of playing the organ, piano and choir directing to glorify God. She was never far away from an organ bench, serving over 61 years as organist and choir director in numerous churches in NJ, MA and MD. She moved to Carroll Lutheran Village, Westminster, MD in 2007 where she served as part-time organist for their chapel services as well as substitute organist for the First Presbyterian Church. She also served faithfully on the CLV Library Committee.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a brother, David Nielsen of Morristown, NJ; 4 children and their spouses, Judith Wilson (husband Charles) of Portersville, PA, Nancy Forrest (husband David) of Manassas, VA, David Van Nest (wife Vickie) of Richmond, VA, and Virginia Simms (husband John) of Towson, MD; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016 in Krug Chapel at Carroll Lutheran Village, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster, MD with the Rev. Jimmie L. Schwartz officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carroll Lutheran Village Library Fund, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster, MD 21158.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home in Westminster.
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Born November 15, 1931 in Orange, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Harry L. and Irene E. (Scheld) Nielsen. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Melbourne P. Van Nest.
Phyllis graduated from West Orange High School, and Trenton State College (now College of NJ) with a degree in Music Education. She taught school music in the East Hanover, NJ and the West Orange, NJ Public Schools. She was passionate about music and using her musical gifts of playing the organ, piano and choir directing to glorify God. She was never far away from an organ bench, serving over 61 years as organist and choir director in numerous churches in NJ, MA and MD. She moved to Carroll Lutheran Village, Westminster, MD in 2007 where she served as part-time organist for their chapel services as well as substitute organist for the First Presbyterian Church. She also served faithfully on the CLV Library Committee.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a brother, David Nielsen of Morristown, NJ; 4 children and their spouses, Judith Wilson (husband Charles) of Portersville, PA, Nancy Forrest (husband David) of Manassas, VA, David Van Nest (wife Vickie) of Richmond, VA, and Virginia Simms (husband John) of Towson, MD; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016 in Krug Chapel at Carroll Lutheran Village, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster, MD with the Rev. Jimmie L. Schwartz officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carroll Lutheran Village Library Fund, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster, MD 21158.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home in Westminster.