ASHTABULA — Marilyn Marie Nelson, age 88, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at the Cleveland Clinic.
The daughter of Norman and Elsie (Johnson) Ecklund, she was born in Ashtabula on Feb. 19, 1924, and had remained a lifelong area resident. During her junior year at Harbor High School, she and her family moved to Cleveland and she graduated from John Hayes High School in 1942.
She worked three years at the Cleveland Trust Bank in the Estate Department before moving back to Ashtabula to marry her loving husband, Robert J. Nelson upon his discharge from the United States Navy. They were married on Oct. 23, 1945, at Capernaum Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Ernest Peterson officiating; and had celebrated sixty years of marriage prior to his death on Sept. 5, 2005.
Marilyn was a former member of Lake Avenue United Methodist Church and the former Harbor United Methodist Church for more than sixty years. With the closing of the Harbor United Methodist, she became a willing and active member of the First United Methodist Church. Marilyn was active in the choir and the United Methodist Women, serving in several leadership capacities.
First and foremost, Marilyn loved her family. There was no greater joy in her life than being with family. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma and friend. Her warm smile and her unconditional love for everyone will be remembered for many generations.
She is survived by her children, Pamela (Stephen) Poros and Craig (Penny Lines), both of Ashtabula, and Reta (Scott) Boone of Anchorage, Alaska; 13 grandchildren; and many loving great-grandchildren; her brother, Norman “Bud” (Dorothy) Ecklund of Ashtabula; and her former daughters-in-law, Kathie Nelson-Melhouse and Trang “Ly” Nelson.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert J. Nelson in 2005; her much loved son, John W. Nelson on May 21, 2000; and her parents.
Visitation will be observed from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2nd, at ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at The First United Methodist Church at a later date. Burial to be at Lulu Falls Cemetery, North Kingsville, Ohio.
If desired, contributions in Marilyn’s name may be made to First United Methodist Church, 4506 Elm Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004, or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004.
Obituary at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com.
