Carol Anne Nielsen (DeKoning), age 82, passed away peacefully on January 2^nd, 2026

Proceeded in death by her husband of 60 years, Walter “Skip” Nielsen

Survived by a son, Bill Nielsen (Marie), daughter Elizabeth Leeseberg (Fred) and granddaughter, Kylie as well as a sister, Rosemary Mayo.

Carol was born in Oceanside, NY in 1942. She grew up in the town of Hempstead, NY and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy.  She was married and started her family in the town of West Babylon, Long Island. In 1973 the family moved to Clearwater Florida, where they would remain until moving to Trinity, FL in 1992.

While living in Clearwater, Carol was incredibly involved in her parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, Dunedin, FL.  She served on and was president of the parish Council for many years as well as the Fall Festival Committee. Carol was the director of the youth religious education program (CCD). She was one of the first female Eucharistic Ministers in the diocese of St Petersburg.

Carol and Skip owned a golf course management company which operated Nines Eagle Golf Course in Odessa, FL, Ironwood Golf Course in Hudson, FL and Silver Dollar Golf Course in Odessa FL. While working and raising a family she earned her Executive MBA from the University of South Florida.

Carol was an avid golfer and an active member of the couple’s league at Crescent Oaks Golf Club in Tarpon Springs, FL.  She was an enthusiastic lover of nature, especially birding.

Carol was a loving and devoted Mother; she is treasured by all her family and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org