Obituaries
Religion Teacher at Santa Margarita Catholic Dies
Jim Nielsen, who taught on campus 17 years, succumbs after a brief illness.
James Nielsen, who taught religion at Santa Margarita Catholic High, died Tuesday evening after a short illness. He was 57.
A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Nielsen was in his 17th year of teaching on campus and had taught all grade levels. He was currently teaching a Religion 1 course, the Bible, to freshmen.
With a Bible as his constant companion, Nielsen was regarded as a prayerful and thoughtful man whose almost ever-present smile left a positive impression.
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Nielsen, who was diabetic, seemed healthy at a staff luncheon Dec. 16. But within about two days, he reportedly contracted a cold that quickly developed into pneumonia and an infection. He died at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange.
“We are reminded of the fragility of life when confronted with death,” said Principal Ray Dunne. “May we be strengthened by our faith in eternal life, a life that Jim now enjoys in Christ the Lord. Through our prayers, may we as a community of faith bring strength to Jim’s family in this very difficult time.”
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A resident of Santa Ana, Nielsen is survived by his wife, Debbie, and sons, James, 29, a 2001 graduate of the school, and Joseph, 26.
Grief counselors will be on campus when school resumes Tuesday.
“He was so spiritual, extremely loving and dedicated—his students just loved him,” said campus ministry director Nancy Hormuth. “He was passionate about his faith and prayer.”
His dedication to helping students discover the voice of God in their hearts demonstrated itself through prayer, meditation, the Liturgy of the Hours, and his passion for the Eucharist, according to those who knew him.
A few years ago, Nielsen traveled to Israel and Turkey, journeys that enriched his own spiritual life, and he enthusiastically shared his experiences and photos with students as he taught Scripture and the Catholic faith.
Nielsen was instrumental in running the school’s Eucharistic adoration program, always making sure there were enough volunteers so students, faculty and staff could quietly sit before the Blessed Sacrament every Tuesday in the school’s Sacred Heart Chapel.
Deeply devoted to prayer, Nielsen could often be found during his off periods and before and after school praying in the school’s chapel.
In one of Nielsen’s memorable visual metaphors, his own adaptation of the Trinity triangle, the individual was always placed in the middle of the triangle, fully embraced by God.
“We are comforted and assured that Jim Nielsen now rests in that triangle, in union with the God who sustained him throughout his life,” said religion department chair Maria Johnson.
The Santa Margarita community is encouraged to post memories, photos and condolences on the school’s Facebook page.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Further information will be available on the school’s website.