Obituary of Mary Bridget Nettleton

NORTH GREENBUSH- Bridget Nettleton, PhD passed away Friday, January 12, 2024. Bridget was born on December 6, 1954 in Troy, NY to the late Thomas and Margaret (Herbert) McMahon.

Bridget obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University at Albany, a Master of Science in Nursing from Russell Sage College, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from the University at Albany.

She started her career in nursing as a Staff Nurse at St. Clare’s Hospital. After working bedside, she pursued a career in nursing education and became the Assistant Director at Albany Medical Center, School of Nursing. From there, she was the Director for the School of Nursing at Samaritan Hospital. She then became a Nurse Educator at Excelsior University (formerly Regents College). At Excelsior, she rose through the ranks as an Associate Dean, Interim Dean, and her greatest accomplishment, Dean for the School of Nursing. She oversaw the largest online nursing program in the world with over 20,000 students and 80 full-time faculty and staff. Most notably, she led degree programs through several accreditations, designation as National League for Nursing Center of Excellence in Nursing Education, and established Tau Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. She then took a position at Empire State University as Dean for the School of Nursing and Allied Health for the RN-BSN program. She founded the MS in Nursing Education and MS in Nursing Administration degrees.

Upon retirement, she served as an adjunct for several colleges. Most recently she was a consultant for Davin Healthcare Workforce Solutions. Through her nursing educational career, she served as a member and held leadership positions for Sigma Theta Tau, Northeast NY Professional Nurses Organization (District #9), NYS Council of Deans, and the American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN). Bridget was the first female board member for AAMN. She also was a peer reviewer for the NYS Education Department and Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

She married the love of her life, Bill Nettleton, on August 20, 1977, and they raised beautiful twin boys. Bridget was a communicant of St. Michael’s the Archangel Church, Troy, NY. She loved to travel, read, spend time with family and friends, and go on lunch dates. Her family and friends described her as caring, generous, compassionate, and a kind soul. She was a leader, mentor, and an angel to many.

Bridget is survived by her husband, Bill Nettleton; sons, Bill (Kayla) Nettleton III and Michael (Jen) Nettleton; grandchildren, Michael and Haley Nettleton; siblings, Thomas McMahon, Peggy Cross, Katie Dermott, and John McMahon; sisters-in-law and brothers in-law, Maureen (Frank) Callender, Laure (Clark) Donkin, Lisa Ames, and Brian Nettleton. She was pre-deceased by her brother-in-law, Chuck Dermott, and sister in-law, Sharon McCarthy. In addition, she is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her faithful basset hound, Cleo IV.

A special thank you to Kathleen Hena, RN and Dr. Abu Hena for opening up their home and being her caregivers and to Peggy Heeran RN, for her comfort care.

A scholarship will be set-up in memory of Bridget for future nurses. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sigma Theta Tau International, Tau Kappa at Large Chapter, c/o Cathy DeChance, 2472 County Route 21, Valatie, NY 12184.

Calling hours be at W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave Rensselaer, NY on Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 4-7PM. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 9:30AM, at St. Michael’s the Archangel Church, Troy, NY.

There will be a brief tribute to Bridget’s nursing career from her nursing colleagues in the Capital Region Nurses Honor Guard at 6PM during calling hours on January 18, 2024.