Nell Cake Dove of Sunnyside Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, formerly of Crozet, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021.
She was the daughter of the late David V. and Lelia Haden Cake and raised in Hilton Village in Warwick County, now Newport News.
She attended Longwood College and received her Nursing degree from Stuart Circle Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse in various capacities throughout her life including as a pediatric nurse in Newport News, general nurse at the Middlesex County Health Department, ophthalmological surgical nurse in Gloucester and an ENT nurse at University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill, N.C. She was also an American Red Cross volunteer for many years in Hampton and Middlesex County and a dependable and active volunteer for the mission work at her church.
Nell’s life was led by her love for God, family and friends. She leaves behind friendships she has had since high school.
Nell loved to travel and had visited Great Britain and most of Europe on multiple occasions in addition to trips to Russia, Israel and Malawi. Her parents instilled in her a love of Broadway musicals with trips to New York City when she was young. Later she would share that love with her sons. Nell was a lady of understated sophistication. She was comfortable in the fanciest restaurants, but enjoyed a cold beer with her pizza too. Nell’s body did not let her live the life she wanted the past few years, but her spirit was alive and well! She was always quick with a smile and a kind comment, even at the end.
She is survived by her three sons, Peter (Paula) of Mechanicsville, Chris (Lisa) of Richmond, and Ben (Susan) of Mechanicsville; her grandchildren, Loren Dove, Elaina Irvin (Taylor), Josh Kramer (Carri), Jonathan Kramer and Robyn Kane; four great-grandchildren; a niece, Beth Forbes (Don); and nephews David Forbes (Donna) and the Rev. Tom Forbes (Allison).
In addition to her parents, Nell was preceded in death by her dear sister and brother-in-law, Jean and the Rev. Richard Forbes, and a grandchild, Mary-Kathryn Abernathy.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 25 in the Meredith Chapel at Sunnyside Community in Harrisonburg. Interment will be private at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (www.brafb.org) or Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center (www.massanettasprings.org).
Condolences may be shared at kygers.com.
