Patricia A. (Mullen) Nelis

Patricia Nelis passed away on Friday, August 9, at Southpointe Healthcare Center.  She had just celebrated her 95th birthday. 

Pat was born to Frederick and Kathryn (Higgins) Mullen on July 15th, 1929, the youngest of three daughters.  She attended St. Catherine’s Grade School, formerly located in the Garfield Park area.  Tragically, her mother died when Pat was only nine years old.  Her father’s three sisters then helped raise her for the next few years.  She graduated from St Agnes Academy in 1947, and then attended Marian College for one year.

One of Pat’s sisters introduced her to a young Navy veteran, Donald T. Nelis, and the couple married in 1952.  Both Pat and Don were both originally from the southside of Indianapolis, but they moved to the eastside in 1956, building a small house near 12th and Emerson.  They lived there until Don passed away in 2012.

Not wanting to live alone, Pat moved to Crestwood Village South soon after her husband’s death.  She became a popular member of that community and participated in most of the social activities.  She soon became well-known there for her prowess as a euchre player.  Health problems caused her to move to Southpointe Healthcare Center just before her 94th birthday.  She made many friends at Southpointe as well, among both residents and staff.

Pat’s mother had been born in Ireland, and Pat was always fiercely proud of her Irish heritage.  She particularly enjoyed visiting her mother’s homeland in 1997.  She and Don also traveled extensively throughout the United States and vacationed at various places in the Caribbean. 

Pat worked as teller at American Fletcher National Bank for over twenty years.  A devoted Catholic, she was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church for almost seventy years.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband Don, sisters Mary Margaret and Bernadette, and daughter Julia (Nelis) Burns.  Survivors include her son Steven (Hallie), four grandchildren, and sixteen nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather to remember Pat on Friday, August 16th, from 9:30 to 10:30am at Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E. 13th Street, Indianapolis.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 am.

Memorial contributions have been suggested to Little Flower Catholic Church.  Envelopes will be provided at the church.  To order flowers or leave an online condolence, please visit www.LauckFuneralHome@aol.com  

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