Obituary of Katherine Nelson Mooers Van Den Blink

age 82, of Elmira, New York, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side on July 6, 2017. Nelson was born on October 26, 1934 in Elmira, New York, the youngest daughter of the late Edward Allen Mooers and Nellie Welles Mooers. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Welles Mooers Smith and beloved family friend Thelma Steele. She is survived by her husband of 61 years the Reverend Dr. Arie Johannes "Han" van den Blink; her children Arie Johannes "Jan" van den Blink (Clare), Sarah Welles van den Blink, Katherine van den Blink Miller (John), granddaughters Margaret van den Blink Jones (Juan), Elizabeth van den Blink Brockett (Daniel), Emily van den Blink, and great-granddaughter Clara Jones. She is survived by her brother-in-law Leo van den Blink (Marjorie) and her nieces Sasha van de Water and Kieren van den Blink, nephews Denny Smith (Diane), Ross Smith, niece Robin Moulton (John), and first cousins Prudence Manley, Nelson Welles (Jean), Charles Welles (Lyn), and Bartow Curtis (Marie). Nelson joined The Hilliard Corporation in 1978 as a Director, and was the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Hilliard from 1982 until her retirement in 2010. Under her leadership Hilliard grew significantly and added many new product lines. She was also President of the Hilliard Foundation and guided the foundation's numerous community donations. Nelson was strongly committed to community service as Director of the Chemung Canal Trust Company, Director and Chairman of Southern Tier Economic Growth, President and Director of the Girl Scouts Seven Lakes Council, Director and President of the Arctic League, Elder of North Presbyterian Church, Director of the John W. Jones Museum, Director and Chairman of the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce, Director and Chairman of Capabilities, Inc., and Trustee and Treasurer of the National Soaring Museum. She was honored by the YWCA of Elmira with the Tribute to Women Award, the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce Community Builder Award, and many other awards throughout her career. Nelson had a lifelong dedication to politics and was elected to the Borough Council of Princeton, New Jersey in 1974, 1977, and 1980. She served as President of the Borough Council for four years. She was a 1952 graduate of the Dana Hall School, in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and a 1956 graduate of Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, with a B.A. cum laude in Political Science. Family and friends are invited to visit McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira NY, on Tuesday July 18 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A service in honor of Nelson's life will be held Wednesday July 19 at Grace Episcopal Church in Elmira, NY, at 11:00am. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations in Nelson's memory may be made to the National Soaring Museum, 51 Soaring Hill Drive, Elmira, NY 14903 or the John W. Jones Museum, P.O. Box 932, Elmira, NY 14902.