Margaret Merle Nielsen

Margaret Merle NIELSEN Passed away peacefully on Sunday June 11, 2006. Margaret was Born in Tacoma, Washington on April 1st 1930. She is the granddaughter of Arthur Holroyd from Lancashire, England who came through Canada, homesteaded in Mckenna, Washington. Arthur Holroyd founded the Holroyd Company in 1906. Her mother, Alma Merle and Alma's brother, Jim continued to grow the business. Margaret met David D. Nielsen, the love of her life, at the University of Washington and together they returned to Tacoma. Their first child, Linda, died of Leukemia at the age of 2. Margaret overcame the setback and went on to have three healthy boys. David and Margaret have continued the gravel and concrete business and have now handed day to day operation to two of their sons, Stephen and Mark Nielsen. Margaret's first son, David J. Nielsen lives in Seattle with his wife, Judy and Margaret's granddaughters, Anna and Victoria. Margaret's other two grandchildren, Alexander and Decker Nielsen, who are the son and daughter of Stephen and his wife, Rita, represent the fifth generation of the company's family ownership. Margaret Merle Nielsen will be remembered for her smile, her business sense, her sailing, and her wisdom. Margaret was an avid sailor. In 1968 during a very successfull sailboat racing campaign aboard the Cal-40 "Moonglow III" Margaret turned to David and said "Let's do the Victoria to Maui race". This was on the heels of winning the very prestigious City of Victoria trophy for the first boat across the finish line in Canada's Swiftsure yacht racing classic. Margaret successfully navigated, while David skippered the boat to a spectacular win in their class and they were the first American boat across the line in Hawaii. In typical fashion they called home with the news of their success, and had David, Stephen & Mark flown to Hawaii to share in their victory. Margaret loved to compete, she loved adventure, she was a strategic thinker and planner. Margaret designed and built her own home at the age of 20, remodeled it at age 46 and has lived there since while raising her 3 sons. Margaret attended Lincoln High School in Tacoma and graduated from the University of Washington in 1951 with a degree in Business Administration. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. She was a founding member of the Tacoma Concrete Association and Lifetime member of U.W. Alumni Association. Margaret has been a member of the Tacoma Yacht Club since 1953. She was a longtime member of the Washington Athletic club. A Graveside Family Service was held at New Tacoma Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be sent to Margaret Nielsen Endowment Fund @ The Humane Society, 2606 Center street, Tacoma, WA 98409.