We Remember Marian Ellen Nelson

Marian Ellen Nelson of North Bend, WA passed away on July 6, 2019 at the age of 93. Marian was born in Needham, Massachusetts, to Wellington and Virginia Howes, and was the eldest of four. She spoke fondly of her New England childhood, and particularly enjoyed her family trips to Cape Cod, walks in the woods in search of wildflowers, attending baseball games at Fenway Park with her father, and in wintertime the short walk to a snowy slope with her skis. After graduating from high school, she went on to earn her BS in Nursing from Boston University, and then practiced public health nursing in Boston. Marian enjoyed the work and found it satisfying to help others. She had many stories from her time as a public health nurse and happily shared them.

As a young adult, her adventurous spirit took her on trips across the United States, trips that she carefully documented through her many postcards sent to friends and family. Wintertime fun was had with friends taking ski trips to Vermont and New Hampshire, and in summertime there were trips to Nantucket. Marian met Dick Nelson on a blind date in 1958. They quickly fell in love, and were soon married and started a family.

Marian was a loving mother to her three children. She made sure that she was always present in each of her children's lives and would always put their needs before her own; working hard to create a loving home that allowed her children to grow and accomplish their own dreams and goals.

In 1973 the family moved to Washington state, leaving the place that she would always consider her home, and built a new life for her family. She led an active life; was involved in her church and community, played tennis, hiked and skied, enjoyed needle crafts, playing bridge, travel, and gardening.

Gardening was a hobby that was cultivated by her parents and shared by all her siblings. A favorite of hers were bearded irises of which she had many, and she enjoyed arranging them and entering them into competitions.

Marian and Dick spent several winters in southern Arizona. They enjoyed the warm sunny weather. While there, they established close friendships and enjoyed exploring the surrounding canyons. Swimming and poolside card games filled out the evenings. She especially enjoyed the visits of the young grandchildren, where hours were spent laughing and splashing in the pool. They also enjoyed traveling abroad and a highlight of their travels was visiting granddaughters Shizuho and Asaki at their home in Japan.

A woman with a light heart, she had many quips, stories, and songs that she delighted in sharing with others. An oft spoken phrase of hers was “Just enjoy each day and don't intentionally hurt anybody”, and that was how she lived, and encouraged others to do the same.

Marian's ready smile will be missed by all who knew her. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, and by her brother, Richard Howes. She is survived by two of her younger siblings: Helen Kuzina and John Howes, by her three children: Ellen Gehling, Jon Nelson, and Kristin Buzard; and her five grandchildren: Ashley and Hannah Buzard, Les Gehling, and Asaki and Shizuho Nelson. She was also lucky enough to have a step granddaughter with three great step grandchildren; Jessiah, Mason, and Berlyn.

A celebration of Marian’s life will be held Thursday, July 18th, at 11 AM, at Flintoft's Funeral Home & Crematory; Issaquah. A reception will be held following the service. If you would like to honor Marian’s memory, in lieu of flowers please consider planting something in your yard or in a pot and share in her love of watching it grow. Also, remember to live your life like Marian, and that “you are never fully dressed until you put on a smile”.