Jean Meadows Nelson

Jean Meadows Nelson Resident of Oakland Jean Meadows Nelson, born August 11, 1927 in Berkeley, long-time resident of El Cerrito, and lately of Oakland, died at her home on August 22, 2010 after a long illness. She was 83. Alumni of UC Berkeley, graduate of UC Santa Barbara, retired from teaching in the West Contra Costa Unified School District, active member of American Association of University Women (past branch president), Parent Teachers Association (past president), League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Grandmothers for Peace, Contra Costa Chorale and Berkeley Community Chorus. A lifelong resident of the East Bay, Mrs. Nelson traveled widely, both alone and with groups such as Elderhostel and Global Volunteers throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia and North America. Most notably, after teaching high school Theater Arts and English for several years, she worked as a civilian for the U.S. Army as a recreation director in Yokohama, Japan for three years in 1954-1957. Married in 1958, she raised her children in El Cerrito and resumed her teaching career in local junior high and high schools in the 1970s. Primarily an English teacher, with an emphasis on writing, she discovered a passion for teaching English as a Second Language, continuing to teach and tutor the subject well into retirement. An energetic community activist, Mrs. Nelson promoted health and safety issues, disaster preparedness, environmental issues (especially recycling), education, social justice and peace. She was a voracious reader of all kinds of books and a huge supporter of public libraries. She was a tireless knitter, decades-long holder of season tickets for the Oakland Symphony, lover of theater, music, ballroom dance, bridge and Trivial Pursuit. She is remembered by many for her ability to see the humor in everything, as well as her fondness for all things sweet - especially ice cream. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver A. Nelson, Jr. and her parents, Rowland Earl "R.E." and Lorena Emma "Babe" (Edwards) Meadows. Survived by her children, Susan Nelson Hobbs (David) of Sacramento; Richard Lee Nelson (Janice) of Oakland; grandchildren, Jennifer Ellen Bowyer and Laurel Jeannette Nelson of Oakland; and sister Patricia Todhunter (Davis) of El Cerrito. All who knew her are invited to a gathering of remembrance and celebration of her life, Saturday, October 9, 2010, at 2:00pm in the multipurpose room of Prospect Sierra School (formerly El Monte Elementary School) at 2060 Tapscott Ave., El Cerrito. The family suggests donations in her memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or to the National Parkinson Association. Cremation by The Nautilus Society; disposition private.