Dear friends and family,

Mom passed away on August 30th, 2020.  We are so very grateful for multiple things about her end of life journey.  Mom suffered very little acute discomfort from the cancer in her bones.  The pain medication she took kept the pain in check throughout her stay in Colorado.  In addition, the facility  where she was a resident was as accommodating as they could be under this strange times of COVID.  Tracy and I were able to see her daily and they offered patio visits for other members of the family as the summer progressed.  And perhaps best of all, they turned a blind eye when Tracey or I would wheel Mom straight out of the place and take an hour walk/wheel on trails that led through neighborhoods and around a lake.  The culmination of these illegal walks was a wonderful birthday evening at a shelter on the lake with the full family to celebrate Mom’s 83rd birthday on August 28th.  And finally, we are so grateful that Tracey and I were able to be with her when she died.   While she had no pain, other symptoms such as loss of vision and hearing, memory lapses, and a strange discomfort in her left arm (the only limb she had left that was functioning) were growing and this caused Mom a lot of anxiety.  For us to be there with her, to laugh and cry a bit, hug one another, and hold her hand while she slipped away was truly a gift.

To all of you who have reached out to Mom during the last 100 days in some way – texting, calling, cards, gifts of flowers, chocolates, and licorice – it was all very much appreciated and she felt loved and cherished up until the end.  Thank you so very much!

Mom’s obit is also copied below – it ran in the MN Star Tribute Sunday the 6th.

Marcia Nelson (Peterson) passed away from cancer on August 30th, 2020 at the age of 83 in Colorado. She is survived by two daughters: Tracey English (Gery) and Paige Kelbe (Nate), 4 grandchildren: Nelson English (Kaylynn), David English, Grace Kelbe, and Skye Kelbe, two sisters: Marilyn Hollinshead (Warren) and Jan Peterson, and one brother, Paul Peterson (Vicki).  Preceded in death by her husband, Boots Nelson, their son Dan Nelson, her brother Ronald Peterson and his wife, Peggy Peterson. 

Marcia was born in Montevideo, MN to Dr. C. L. Peterson  and wife Edythe (Humphries).  She graduated in 1955 from Rochester High School and went to work in advertising in Minneapolis at Campbell Mithun where she enjoyed the creativity that surrounded her every day in her role as an art buyer.  But she loved the wonderful people she worked with most, many of whom were a source of joy her entire life.  It was there she also met husband Boots to whom she was married for over 50 years.

She loved her family , her friends, and hosting get togethers at her home, summers at Kabetogama with her “up north” group, beautiful moons, cooking, flowers, and the many dogs that passed through her life.  She knew that she would miss what was to come – her grandchildren growing up and the other precious moments of every day, because in the end “life is the memories – that is what makes up a life”.

In lieu of a service, she asks that you remember all of the good times and raise a glass, hug your dog or look at the moon.  And make another memory.

Contributions can be made to Courage Kenny Center, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Minneapolis, MN 55422.

Endless hugs to all of you,

Tracey and Paige