Virginia Irene (Mark) Nead

May 21, 1927 - May 20, 2010

Virginia Nead, 82, of West Lafayette, died at 4:56 a.m. Thursday, May 20, 2010, at her residence. Born May 21, 1927, in South Bend, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Irene Stouffer Mark. She graduated from Central High School in South Bend. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 1951, her Master of Arts degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1955 and her Master of Science degree from Butler University in 1971. She also completed five units of clinical pastoral education.

On Sept. 18, 1954 she married Donald L. Nead in South Bend. and he survives. Mrs. Nead was a public school teacher for 10 years. She also was associate pastor at First Christian Church of Lafayette from 1975 to 1980, then became director of pastoral services at Home Hospital from 1981 until her retirement on May 22, 1992. She was involved with CASA, was a chairwoman for the Human Relations Commission of West Lafayette, and was involved with Story Tellers Association of Lafayette.

She was on the board of directors and was past president of the Friends of Convocations at Purdue University; and was on the board of directors of the Lafayette YWCA, where she was a chairwoman ofthe Domestic Violence Program Task Force and received the Professional Woman of the Year Award in 1988. She also was a member of the Purdue University Graduate Chapter of Mortar Board, and was its first president. She enjoyed the performing arts, creative writing, swimming, hiking, biking, skiing and traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad, and on her 60th birthday made her first of two skydives.

Surviving with her husband are two sons, Tom Nead of Oregon and Mark Nead (wife: Karen) of Las Vegas; and a daughter, Deborah Nead-Work (husband: Daniel) of Lake Oswego, Ore. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren, David, Alexander, Steven and Danielle.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Don Mark.

Celebration of Life Service 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010, at Central Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Jeff Cover officiating. Friends will be received following the service. Those wishing may contribute in Virginia's memory to the Purdue Research for the benefit of either the WBAA Radio or Purdue Convocations at 1281 Win Hentschel Blvd., West Lafayette, IN 47906-4182. You may offer condolences at www.sollerbaker.com

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

07/22/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/256961014/virginia-m-nead