Louise Nezelek

Emma Louise Shook Nezelek passed from this life into heaven on July 29, 2022 after a 2 year battle with a rare brain disease. Born in Norfolk, Va., she was the daughter of the late Betty N. and Tom F. Shook. Louise spent the first 11 years of her life near Virginia Beach, Va., where her father, a Pearl Harbor survivor, was stationed after WWII.

In 1964 the family moved to Boone, NC. Louise had a lifelong passion for both learning and teaching. She graduated with a nursing degree from UNC Chapel Hill, followed by a second degree in Home Economics Education from Appalachian State University. While working as a Home Economics teacher in Shelby, NC, Louise obtained her Master’s Degree from Winthrop College in 1983. Louise also worked as a nurse developing educational materials for wellness programs.

In 1988 Louise moved to Charlotte, NC to work at Discovery Place. She then obtained her certifications to teach art, which she did for the last 13 years of her career until retirement in 2013.

Louise met her husband Ed Nezelek in the early 1990’s while attending Myers Park United Methodist Church. They were married on New Year's Day 1994. Louise was a Renaissance woman who enjoyed swim exercise at the Y, singing in church choirs, small group studies and book clubs. She was also an excellent cook, baker and hostess who made and presented food with an artistic flair.

She and her husband enjoyed travel and visited Alaska, England, Europe, and sites between New York and Florida while visiting family. She was a loyal and valued friend to many.

Louise and Ed, after many years of yearning, moved to her beloved NC Mountains in 2018 where they made a new home in Brevard. Beyond all of that, Louise was a woman who loved to laugh – and to make people laugh. Her friends and family often called her “Weezie” or “Wheezer” The words they used to describe her were generous, humble, adventurous, imaginative, creative, trustworthy and steadfast.

Louise’s faith in Jesus Christ was evident to all who crossed her path and she had a gift for helping those she met grow in their own faith journey and realize their potential. Her husband Ed told friends these powerful words about Louise after her passing. “I wish we could all see the world the way Louise saw it. She constantly chose joy over misery, and compassion over judgement.”

Louise is survived by her husband Edward L. Nezelek II, sisters Norma Carroll Phelps (Bill) of Denver, NC; Roxanne Boone (Sandy) of Waynesville, NC; Betty Telford (Kurt) of Clemmons, NC; brothers Tommy Shook (Sherry) of Greensboro, NC; Nash Shook (Cherie) of Belle Isle, FL; stepmother Carol Mabry Shook of Clemmons, NC; her daughter Evangeline Des Marais (Hubert) of Lake Worth, FL; and many nieces and nephews who loved to playtime with their Aunt Louise who they sometimes called “Tia.

A Memorial Service to celebrate the beautiful life of Louise will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Brevard. The family will receive friends following the service in Miller Hall, located on the church campus.

The family requests memorial donations be made to:

National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center; Case Western Reserve University, 2085 Adelbert Road, Room 419, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106-4907.  Please make checks payable to NPDPSC and note the donation is in memory of Louise Nezelek.

To leave a condolence for the family of Louise Nezelek, please visit “Tributes”at www.mooreblanchard.com