Pamela Nelson-O'Neil

PAMELA NELSON-O'NEIL

Cedar Rapids

Pamela R. Nelson-O'Neil, 61, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Steven A. O'Neil; her sons, Keegan Nelson O'Neil of Cedar Rapids and Connor O'Neil of Santa Fe, N.M.; her mother, Josephine Essing of Manson, Iowa; her sisters, Kristine Nelson of Frederick, Md., and Stacey (Tom) Engram of Bel Air, Md.; and her nephews, Ryan and Kyle Engram of Bel Air, Md.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert G. Nelson.

Pamela was born Dec. 21, 1952, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Josephine (Steinberg) Nelson. She graduated from Manson High School in 1971, and then, with special honors, with distinction, from the University of Iowa in 1975. In 1976, she received her master's in social work also from the University of Iowa.

Pamela also was a member of the Phi Betta Kappa Society.

Pam married Steven O'Neil on Aug. 6, 1977, in Iowa City after meeting him, both as student workers, in the student union cafeteria at the U of I in 1974.

Pamela was a licensed independent social worker well known for her work throughout eastern Iowa.

She loved to be active, from horseback riding to tennis. She also was an avid reader and experienced camper. As a social worker at Washington High School she founded and coached the first women's soccer team in the city. Her impact in the Cedar Rapids community area cannot be overstated. In addition to many other forums, committees and boards, Pam served on the board of directors for the Planned Parenthood of Linn County and was a member of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce from 1986 to 1993.

Pam had a taste for travel and explored the world around her with enthusiasm, including jaunts throughout Europe, Central America and the Caribbean. Anyone close to her will remember her love of music, expressed by a willingness to sing and dance in any setting. Her work ethic and compassion will be remembered by all who have known her.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association – East Central Iowa Chapter (www.alz.org/eci/) or the Caregivers Center Fund at Mercy Medical Center Foundation in memory of Pamela.

Please leave a message for the family on the Web page www.cedar memorial.com under obituaries.