Marilyn Joy Nelson

1926 - 2023

Marilyn Joy Nelson
January 22, 1926 - May 24, 2023
Tacoma, Washington - Marilyn Joy Nelson, age 97, passed away May 24, 2023, in the early hours of the morning at Tacoma General Hospital with her son by her side. In the hours leading up to Marilyn's passing she was surrounded by family and left this world peacefully, in her own way, at her own pace.
Marilyn Joy (Jones) Nelson was born in Tacoma, WA on January 22, 1926. Marilyn's mother passed away shortly after childbirth. Marilyn met Leslie Nelson in 1943 at Keyport. Marilyn was just 17 years old; they fell in love, were married the next year, and the rest is history. Les was Marilyn's rock, pillar, and stability. They had three sons together, (Jack, Steven, and Mark) and Marilyn worked as a librarian for Tacoma Public School District.
During retirement Marilyn and Les moved out to Hood Canal and enjoyed beach life, traveled the world, and enjoyed winters in Arizona; following Les' death in 2004 Marilyn continued her adventures, with friends and family by her side. Marilyn returned to Yuma, AZ for many years with her son Steve as her private chauffeur and vacation partner, always ready for sun, happy hour, and a card game. Over the last decade Marilyn has lived at her retirement community in Tacoma, where she was close to family, and continued to enjoy many of the same activities, such as weekly cards with family, visits with her granddaughter, and running the library at the retirement community.
Marilyn Joy Nelson is survived by son Steven and spouse Cathy, daughter-in-law Kay, grandchildren Chris and spouse Tammy, Dana and spouse Steve, Stephanie, Amy and spouse Joseph, and great-grandchildren Owen, Parker, Sophia, and Madelyn. She was preceded in death by her spouse Leslie Allen Nelson and sons Jack Allen Nelson and Mark Craig Nelson. There will be a celebration of life in Marilyn's honor at Cogir at the Narrows on Sunday June 11, 2023, 1pm-3pm. Family and friends are welcome.