Nellie M MacCallum

Nellie (Nijole) Marija Sudavicius-MacCallum was born on August 27, 1945 in Boeblingen, Germany, to refugee parents, Jonas Sudavicius and Sofija Stasiukaityte-Sudavicius, who had fled their native Lithuania in June 1944, to escape the second invasion and occupation of their homeland by the Soviet Union. In 1949, along with younger sister Dalia, the Sudavicius family would settle and begin a new life in South Omaha, with the loving care and foundational support of Pastor Joe Jusevich (Juozas Jusevicius) and the Lithuanian parish community at Saint Anthony Parish.

Growing up, nellie attended Brown Park School. From an early age she developed a love and proficiency for art and music. Nellie excelled at playing the violin, and she was a member of her high school orchestra. After graduating from Omaha South High School in 1963, nellie attended the University of Omaha, where she earned her BFA degree, majoring in Music and Art with a minor in Mathematics. Subsequently, nellie earned a secondary education teacher's certificate at the University of Nebraska - Omaha.

Nellie built a successful professional career in advertising, marketing, and public relations with her foundations in creative art and design. Starting out as a Media Specialist with Omaha Public Schools, nellie moved on to Bozell & Jacobs Worldwide as Art Director. With her Bozell colleague Galen Lillethorup, the galen & nellie advertising agency was launched in 1980; at its peak, this agency had a staff of over 30 creative individuals. Nellie would later work as a freelance art director, and launch her own agency, Genesis Communications. In her 45+ year professional career in advertising, marketing, public relations, and creative design, nellie and the creative teams she managed have garnered many professional awards.

And nellie has also an extensive background and legacy as a community volunteer and leader. Nellie has served in leadership or advisory roles and/or as member of the board of directors with several organization, including the Fontenelle Forest, Metropolitan Community College, Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, Omaha Sister Cities Association (OSCA), and the Lithuanian-American Community (LAC). With OSCA, nellie has diligently assisted on projects with several Omaha sister cities, including Shizuoka, Japan; Braunschweig, Germany; and Siauliai, Lithuania. Very proud of her Lithuanian heritage, nellie served six years as Vice-President and four years as President of the LAC Omaha Chapter.

In terms of lasting legacy, nellie will always be acknowledged and fondly remembered as a key initiator of Omaha's third sister-city partnership with Siauliai, Lithuania in 1996. Nellie worked passionately for decades in various leadership roles in the stewardship of Omaha's dynamic and colorful relationship with Siauliai. In recognition of her significant contributions, nellie sudavicius macCallum was awarded the honor and select distinction of Siauliai Citizen of Honor in 2010. To date (May, 2023), only 45 individuals have ever been awarded this most special honor and distinction, since its inception. In 2010, nellie sudavicius macCallum became only the third woman and only the second foreign national to be awarded with the Siauliai Citizen of Honor distinction.

Nellie passionately loved her family in Omaha (sister Dalia Sudavicius, brother-in-law Gediminas Murauskas) and Lithuania (numerous cousins and their families). She loved connecting with people, and exploring and learning about diverse cultures, traditions and geographies around the world. Nellie passionately gave of herself and her love and creative talents to many others. She touched many lives. The legacy and spirit of nellie sudavicius macCallum will continue to live on in and with many of us, for a long time to come.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE gathering in honor of nellie sudavičius macCallum will take place on her next birthday, Sunday, August 27th, 2023, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, at:

Good Shepherd Funeral Home

4712 South 82nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

(near the SE corner of 84th & L streets)

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to the Omaha Sister Cities Association. / https://omahasistercities.com/nellie-sudavicius-maccallum-donation.html