Memorial
Pamela R. Nelson-O’Neil, 61, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday December 18, 2014. Memorial Services: 11:00 a.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Steven A. O’Neil, her sons, Keegan Nelson O’Neil of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Connor O’Neil of Santa Fe, New Mexico, her mother, Josephine Essing of Manson, Iowa, her sisters, Kristine Nelson of Frederick, Maryland and Stacey (Tom) Engram of Bel Air, Maryland and her nephews, Ryan and Kyle Engram of Bel Air, Maryland. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert G. Nelson.
Pamela was born December 21, 1952 in Ft. 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 Masters in Social Work, also from the University of Iowa. Pamela was also a member of the Phi Betta Kappa society.
Pam married Steven O’Neil on August 6, 1977 in Iowa City, Iowa 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 was also 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.