Deborah Ann Nelson
Obituary
It is with great sadness that the Nelson family announces the passing of Deborah Ann (Musiak) Nelson of Southport, NC. Deb passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021 after a courageous six-month battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was just two weeks shy of her 65th birthday.
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Deb lived in Simsbury, Connecticut from 1979 until 2011. Deb and her husband, Terry, moved to Southport, North Carolina, in 2011, to enjoy their golden years. Deb was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. After bravely fighting and surviving her first bought with cancer, Deb was the strongest she had ever been. Deb retired from Cigna in 2018, and actively continued to fundraise for breast cancer awareness, participating in annual Relay for Life events and two Rugged Maniacs. She also volunteered her time to numerous charities, including New Hope Clinic in Southport, NC.
In October 2020, Deb was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She continued her brave fight, always keeping a positive outlook, even actively planning her daughter’s wedding ceremony to be held on Deb’s birthday in 2022. However, the cancer was relentless.
Deb will be remembered for her selflessness, thoughtfulness, fearlessness, and strength of character. She was an amazing mother, loyal wife, supportive sister, proud grammy and steadfast friend. To have her in your life was to know that you were never alone.
Deb is survived by her husband of 39 years, Terry B. Nelson; her daughter, Patricia Learned, and her husband, Josue Godoy, of Lakewood, CA; her daughter, Kathleen Nelson, of Marietta, GA; her son, Scott Nelson, and his wife, Starla, of Atlanta, GA; her granddaughters, Lyla and Luca Nelson, of Atlanta, GA; her mother, Beverly (Kent) Musiak of Indian Orchard, MA; her sister, Cynthia (Musiak) Pacheco of Bluffton, SC; her three brothers, Kent Musiak and Kevin Musiak, both of Indian Orchard, MA and Richard H. Musiak of Hampden, MA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Deb will be missed greatly by all that knew her.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 28, 2021, at Brunswick Funeral Service, Southport/Oak Island Chapel.
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