Adele Ann Nelson

Adele Nelson, beloved wife and mother, passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of Tuesday, March 30, 2021 of natural causes with her family by her side. Adele Ann Strizich was born on July 26, 1938, on the Feast day of St. Ann at the hospital of St. Anne in Anaconda, Montana to parents Samuel and Fidelia Strizich. At fifteen during a high school football game, Adele attracted the eye of her future husband, Charles Preston Nelson, of nearby Missoula. The two were later married when Adele was nineteen and living in California while attending Armstrong Business College, in preparation for her career as a legal secretary. The couple moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1959 where Charles worked for the FAA and Adele as a legal secretary at the Modrall law firm, working for numerous attorneys and local judges. In 1966, Adele left work to be a full-time, at-home mother for roughly the next twelve years before returning to legal work in the 1980s at the firm of Johnson and Lansphere. Adele continued to work until an unexpected stroke in 1994 prompted her early retirement. A lifelong parishioner at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church and avid reader of mystery novels, Adele enjoyed retirement with Chuck as well as time spent with her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Her reserved, gentle manner belied a sharp wit, intelligence, and a fierce love and loyalty to family and friends. Adele was preceded in death by both her parents and younger brother, Sam Strizich. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Charles, as well as daughter Andrea Nelson Sharp, son-in law Michael Sharp, and granddaughter Madeleine Sharp. In keeping with her wishes, a simple funeral mass will be held for Adele at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church at 10 AM on Monday, April 12. The family requests that no flowers be sent but rather donations made in Adele's name to one's charity of choice.