Linda Dianne Nelson

Linda Dianne Nelson of Kansas City, Missouri passed peacefully surrounded by her family on May 6th, 2023. Born December 20th, 1952 to John and Dorothy Piccirillo, Linda was the eldest of her four sisters Cyndy, Cheryl, and Lisa. She graduated from Raytown South High School in 1971 and went on to receive a B.A. in Political Science and Writing at Southwest Missouri State University and then an M.A. in Reading Education at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She married the love of her life, John “Sam” Nelson in 1975 and raised three beautiful children; Zachary, Rachel, and Joshua. Though, her greatest joy was doting on her grandchildren Madison, Gage, Alyssa, Ryan, and Sonny.

 Linda will be remembered by family for being a gentle and trusted confidant, an entertaining storyteller, and a playful spirit. Her children and grandchildren reflect fondly on memories of Linda making Swedish pancakes on Christmas morning and her family’s sugo recipe for Christmas Dinner. Linda made sure to pass on her love of reading and education to her family, often gifting them books, poetry (sometimes even written herself), and taking them on trips to the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum. 

Linda spent her life dedicated to her community and her family. She worked at De La Salle Education Center as a Reading Teacher and later went on to serve 32 years at Longview Community College as an instructor and later as the Associate Dean of Student Development. Linda was a member of the Missouri Community College Association, College Reading & Learning Association, and the Heartland Chapter of CRLA. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones, colleagues, and her beloved students.

Linda is preceded in death by her mother and father, John and Dorothy Piccirillo, and survived by her husband John Samuel Nelson of Kansas City, Missouri; children Zachary Nelson (Billie Sue) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Rachel Nelson of Tucson, Arizona; Joshua Nelson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren Madison Lourenco-Nelson (Anna), Gage Nelson, Alyssa Thurman, Ryan Thurman and Sonny Nelson; and her sisters Cyndy Blake (David) of Lorton, Virginia; Cheryl Woodford (Brad) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Lisa Thornburg (Kelly) of Boulder, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Linda will be in the care of Longview Funeral Home and Cemetery-12700 SE Raytown Road Kansas City, Missouri 64149. Visitation will be Thursday May 11, 2023 from 6-8pm with funeral service and burial beginning Friday May 12, 2023 at 11am.