In loving memory of Nelda Van Dyke

1. Nelda Van Dyke
1919 - 2021

2. In memory of a beloved
TESA Past President
Nelda Van Dyke
1919 – 2021
(102 years young)

3. Nelda Van Dyke
• Born: February 3, 1919
• Died: April 20, 2021
• Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-
grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister,
aunt, and devoted friend
• Her life, her determined spirit, and her love of
God, family, friends, and community, was
celebrated with a private family service

4. Nelda Van Dyke
• TESA President 1979 – 1980
– Theme: “Walking Tall With A Purpose”
• “TESA Matriarch”
• “TESA Doll”
• TESA’s Employee of the Year Award was
renamed after Nelda in 1999
• TRESA President for several years
• Served as Legislative Consultant for many years

7. “TESA Doll”

9. 1996

21. SWC 2001

22. 2001 Past Presidents
Retreat

23. SWC 2002

24. SWC 2002

25. 2002 Past Presidents
Retreat

26. 2002 Past Presidents
Retreat

27. SWC 2003

28. SWC 2004

29. SWC 2004

30. 2005 Past Presidents
Retreat

31. 2005 Past Presidents
Retreat

32. SWC 2006

33. 2006 Past Presidents
Retreat

34. 2006 Past Presidents
Retreat

35. SWC 2007

36. SWC 2007

37. SWC 2007

38. SWC 2008

40. SWC 2009

41. FWC 2010

42. 90th Birthday

43. 90th Birthday

44. 90th Birthday

45. 90th Birthday

46. 90th Birthday

47. 2011 Past Presidents
Retreat
October 2011

48. Nelda pictures with Linda Brewer, Nelda Van
Dyke recipient 2011-2012 and former recipients
SWC 2012

49. SWC 2014

50. SWC 2014

51. SWC 2014

52. SWC 2014

53. 97th Birthday

54. 98th Birthday

55. January 2018

56. 99th Birthday

57. 100th Birthday

58. Facebook Comments

59. Facebook Comments

60. From TESA Past Presidents

61. I first met Nelda in Austin in 1975 when I attended my
first TESA Summer Work Conference and we have been
friends ever since. I was chairman of TESA’s 50th
Anniversary and the highlight of the evening was Nelda
dressed as the TESA Doll. TESA’s mascot is a Cowgirl
dressed in Cowboy boots and hat. To me and many
others, Nelda was TESA. I will miss her.
Marilyn James
TESA President
1990 - 1991

62. So many special memories – it’s hard to mention them all.
Nelda was a great mentor and certainly an even greater
friend. When I joined TESA in 1975 she took me under her
wing and guided me with so much knowledge of TESA and
what the organization could do for paraprofessionals in
education. The STEM program was so valuable in enhancing
our knowledge. During my year as TESA President (1999-
2000) the Board took a step forward in renaming the
Employee of the Year Award to the Nelda Van Dyke Award.
She was so proud of this along with all her other endeavors.
Velma Reyes,
TESA President
1999-2000

64. 2001-2002

65. One of my favorite memories with Nelda was when her and Eddie flew
to New Braunfels and picked me up for TESA'S Fall Conference in South
Padre Island the year I was President. Eddie had a small plane back
then, he came back and flew us back home. The other was when Nelda
turned 90 and her family invited Mark and me to celebrate her birthday,
here in San Antonio. It was at Paesanos at the Quarry. They had pictures
of Nelda, one was where she was dressed in a Roaring Twenties dress.
She looked great in that picture. I don't have any pictures of those
moments. I have her in my heart.
Irma E. Ford
TESA Past President
2003 - 2004
View of the sky from
inside Eddie’s plane
when he flew Irma
and Nelda to South
Padre Island.

66. I remember her hair always being perfect. She served
TESA with grace. She had an immense heart full of love
that she shared with those of us blessed to know her.
Linda Sockwell
TESA President
2004 - 2005

67. It is a daunting task to try to use words to accurately portray the
impact that Nelda Van Dyke had on my life. When first serving on
TESA committees and the board, I was intimidated by Nelda’s
professional approach in meetings. It’s funny to think about that
now, because she literally became a grandmother figure in my
life. My years serving TESA were enhanced by her wisdom,
encouragement, guidance, friendship, humor, and love. Her
many cards sent through the years are treasured keepsakes, and
our many phone calls back and forth treasured memories. My
absolute favorite memory took place in an ER in downtown
Austin. She had fallen while we were checking out the newly
renovated convention center, and we insisted she be checked at
the hospital. I’ll never forget the precious young doctor,

68. and the way she explained to him exactly how this visit was going to work! He was a good
sport, and yes it all went exactly as she had advised! One of the absolute highest honors of
my life was to be a part of the board that renamed the TESA Member of the Year Award to
the Nelda Van Dyke Award, and then to become the award’s first recipient. Nelda and I
had often talked about the importance of having a purpose for what we do in our
lives. Nelda’s presidential theme was Walking Tall With A Purpose, and I chose TESA
Growing With Pride and Purpose to honor my friend. Nelda had a wonderful life, and we
are all better for having had her in ours.
Jana Worthington
TESA President
2005 - 2006

69. Darcy and I visited often. After awhile Nelda said we were
the daughters she never had. Of course we were thrilled.
She called me her #1 daughter and Darcy her #2 daughter.
We shared so many TESA memories over her favorite meal
Whataburger. She was a beautiful blessing in my life. I will
always cherish our visits and phone calls.
Barbara Jennings
TESA President
2006 –2007

70. Nelda was a wonderful person and TESA’s
biggest cheerleader. Always promoting TESA,
sharing her insights, and always kind words of
encouragement to all she met.
Gerald Wharton
TESA President
2009 - 2010

71. Nelda was an inspiration to me. She could see the
possibility in someone and say just the right thing that
would have you believe you could be anything. She told
me that I would be president of TESA one day. Her
words were what encouraged me to go for it. She was a
lady that will be missed.
Wendy Klentzman
TESA President
2010 - 2011

72. Nelda was a unique individual with vast knowledge of TESA. She
always carried herself in a very professional and proper manner.
She was a huge advocate and promoter of TESA and would talk
about TESA to anyone who was around. I had the honor of
receiving the Nelda Van Dyke Award in June of 2009. Nelda, at
the age of 90, was in attendance that year. I recall her telling me
that this was just the start of things for me in TESA. When I was
elected TESA President, she sent me a card congratulating me
and telling me “remember what I told you…”.
Lisa E. Gonzalez
TESA President
2016 - 2017

73. Mrs. Nelda Van Dyke, a true TESA legend and also a great
friend and encourager. I am blessed to have so many
wonderful memories of Mrs. Nelda at conference and
those special visits at her home. You always knew where
you stood with her but she also had a kind word or
something clever to say to lift your spirits. I loved her wit
and strong spirit and those rosy red cheeks. During the
many visits and calls, she allowed me to be Daughter #2
and that is a title that will be treasured forever.
Darcy Blackstock
TESA President
2018 - 2019

74. Nelda, may you rest in peace. Your TESA
family will greatly miss you!
Thanks for all the great memories!