Dianne C. Nelson of Tucson, Arizona, peacefully gained her Angel Wings on June 11, 2023.  Her husband Bill Nelson was by her side.  Dianne was a gentle heart in our midst who had chosen service to others as her conscious purpose in life. The beneficiaries of her goodwill were countless and range from the inner circle of her close family to the local healthcare community, to the local business community and beyond to the national Nurses Organization of the Veteran Affairs (NOVA). Dianne worked tirelessly and graciously, often behind the scenes, to support the aspirations and development of others without care for repayment or hint of recognition. When called upon, she accepted leadership positions and graced those organizations with her clear vision and organizational skills. 

Dianne received her nursing degree from the University of Arizona in 1973, at which time she joined the nursing staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tucson. Dianne served our nation’s veterans in outpatient surgery, home health care and many other nursing capacities for 34 years before retiring in 2007. During her tenure at the VA, she reached out to the Tucson nursing community and in 1994 co-founded the Tucson Nurse Week Foundation which originated and promotes the “Showcase of Tucson Nurses Conference,” “Healthy Fair,” and the “Fabulous 50 Gala,” The Showcase of Tucson Nurses is a sharing educational conference where, each year, over 200 southern Arizona nurses exchange innovative health care ideas during a continuing education conference and included an awards banquet to recognize outstanding nurses who had gone above and beyond their normal daily job responsibilities in demonstrating their concern for humanity and had made significant contribution(s) to the local nursing community. In 1997, Dianne was herself honored as one of the Fabulous 50. 

Dianne walked in harmony with those around her. Her empathy for those in need, her desire to serve, and the depth of her character changed the various associations to which she has belonged. In 1992, Dianne was elected to serve as President of the Tucson chapter of NOVA; in 1995, she was elected to the national NOVA Board of Directors; in 1996, she was given the Secretaries Award for Excellence in Nursing; in 1998 she became National Membership Secretary of NOVA; in 2000, she served on the Nurse Qualifications Board, setting advancement standards for VA nurses nationwide; and in 2004, Dianne was elected National President of NOVA. As president, Dianne’s team took a new approach to educating members of Congress regarding VA issues by holding legislative briefings for members of the House and Senate Veterans Committees’ staff. She also made significant advancements and enhanced recognition for NOVA nationwide for their care of Veterans, our heroes.

In 1998, GLHN nominated Dianne C. Nelson for U of A’s “The Women’s Plaza of Honor” which publicly and permanently celebrates women who have made significant contributions to the history of Arizona or have enriched the lives of others. All who had the honor of knowing Dianne will miss her kind heart, her gentle way in helping you understand what the next step was, her soft voice explaining how to cook something, her ability to put anyone at ease just by her calm presence, and her never-ending generosity that she shared with so many people over the years.