Dorothy C. Nelson, age 88, a resident of Bridgeway of Bensenville, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 21, peacefully at RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale, IL. She was born June 7, 1930 in Chicago to Joseph and Rose Rabito.

Dorothy was born and raised in Elmwood Park, Illinois. After attending elementary school, Dorothy had an interesting high school journey - a Freshman at Proviso in Maywood, a Sophomore at Steinmetz in Chicago, a Junior at Bob Jones Academy in Tennessee, and a Senior at Bob Jones Academy in South Carolina. After high school, she attended Bob Jones University where she enjoyed cheer-leading as an extracurricular activity.

After returning from the University, she went to work at Chicagoland Youth for Christ as a bookkeeper. There she met Del Nelson and through that friendship met Del's brother, Jim. They were married in 1950 and had two children - Sheryl (Brent) Amato and Daniel (Dawn) Nelson. They lived in Itasca, IL for more than 60 years.

For 30 years Dorothy taught special needs students in private schools in Wood Dale, Roselle and Naperville (grammar school age) and later in high schools - Lake Park (Medinah) and Wheaton Central (Wheaton).

She also worked with Awana clubs and was a counselor at Camp Awana. Dorothy has been passionate about the Awana program because of its huge influence on her and her family. During the last seven years, she volunteered at Awana headquarters.

While at Bridgeway, Dorothy was involved in a Reading Buddies program, various plays, their Olympic Games, active in Bible studies and a Christian book club and the Bridge Builders program - helping new residents get acclimated.

Dorothy has had a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, from a very young age and has dedicated her life to Him. She was always investing herself into the lives of others. She was active in her church singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, directing VBS, a special speaker at Mother-Daughter banquets and other Ladies events and going on two Mission Trips to Mexico with her granddaughter and High School group from Medinah Baptist Church.

She had two mottos in her life: 1) "Do your givin' while your livin', then you're knowin' where it's goin'"; and 2) "Only one life t'will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last."

She is survived by her two children, Sheryl "Sherrie" (Brent) Amato of Bloomingdale and Daniel (Dawn) Nelson of Kiel, Wisconsin; six grandchildren, Jason (Kristy) Amato, Kristin (Adam) Asher, Courtney (Dylan) Villarreal, Brittany (Tyler) Ball, Hunter Nelson and Rachel Nelson; seven great-grandchildren, David, Blaze, Lincoln, Skylar, Maverick, Faith and Cohen; two more great-grandchildren are due in the coming months; and her sister, Clara Thompson; and her brother, Jack Rabito.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James O. Nelson; and her parents.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 6, at 7:00 p.m. at Village Church of Bartlett, 601 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL 60103. Friends may visit with the family from 4:30 p.m. until the start of the service at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be held privately at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Camp Awana, 9025 Camp Awana Road, Fredonia, WI 53021.