Our beautiful daughter, sister, aunt, wife, and friend, Aurora Ann Nelson-Smith passed away unexpectedly on November 18, 2023. She was born in Appleton, WI on Feb. 23, 1977, to Charles and Rita Nelson. Known to loved ones as Rory, she attended Catholic grade schools and graduated from Appleton East High School in 1995. She went on to graduate from Ripon College in 1999 with a self-designed degree in broadcast journalism. From there, her world was boundless.

Rory's career took her all over the country. She began her professional life at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, but her skills as a news producer brought her to TV stations in St. Louis, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Kansas City. This September she moved back to Washington D.C. to work for Fox 5 News. With every place she called home, she made friends, built family, and, ultimately, created a better world.

Rory's impact on those around her is impossible to measure, and her capacity for love, empathy, and generosity was unmatched. She was the person who instantly took new coworkers under her wing, drove through a blizzard to support a friend, and gave elaborate city tours to her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Words like "safe space", "inspiring", "patient", and "magnetic" only begin to capture her spirit and goodness.

Rory lived life on her own terms, which meant considerable travel, a little mischief, and countless chances to hear her infectious laugh and see her megawatt smile. She embraced happiness in all its forms, but she especially found joy in "Golden Girls", hysterical news reel bloopers, and purchasing just-because gifts for others. For her loved ones, the holiday season officially kicked off with her annual Christmas card, always featuring her beloved dog, Brutus.

To know Rory is to love her, and to be loved by her was an honor. She didn't hold back her love from anyone, but she loved no one more than her family. She was a dedicated aunt to her nieces, Bella and Ellie; sister to Erin; and daughter to Rita and Chuck. Her dog, Brutus, was her world, and she was his person. In September 2023, she grew her family again when she married her best friend, Rob. Her love. She said it was the best day of her life.

True to her name, Aurora was a bright light in this world, and we are all better for having known her. For that we say: Thank you, Rory, for being a friend.

Rory is survived by her husband, Rob Smith; parents, Rita and Chuck Nelson; mother-in-law, Evelyn Smith; sister, Erin (Scott) Van Hulle; nieces, Isabella and Elliana Bynoe; and beloved dog, Brutus. She is further survived by her aunts and uncles: John (Deb) Probst, Mary (Rich) Daczyk, Ellen (Brian) Starszak, Theresa Adrian and Jamie Jackson, Joe (Cathi) Probst, Roger (Rita) Nelson, Don (Lynn) Nelson, and Rick Tande; and her cousins: Katrina (Sam) Pakala, Sarah (John Ploeser) Probst, Melissa (Corey) Carter, Jonathan (Kaila) Probst, Adam Probst, Danielle (Grady) Stewart, AJ Daczyk, Dylan (Kenzie) Daczyk, Lindsey (Tim) Torbeck, April (Todd) Vosters, David Starszak, Garret Adrian, Ellie (Michael) Sugden, Ben Probst, Autumn Hull, Kelly (Mike) Schernick, Kristine (Dean) Fox, Kevin (Kristen) Nelson, Robin (Chris) Noyes, Rochelle Nelson, Yoshe (Eric) Pohlman, and Joy (Jake Calhoun) Medina.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents: Alois and Rosemary Probst, and Francis and Theresa Nelson; father-in-law, Bruce Smith; her Aunt Elaine Tande; and Uncles Roland and Leon Probst.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at ST. BERNADETTE PARISH (2331 E. Lourdes Drive, Appleton, WI 54915) beginning at 8:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Dorner officiating.  Committal will take place in Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Winchester, WI.

Aurora was a beacon of light.  Our hearts are truly broken, but full of gratitude for having her in our lives. We will miss her forever...