Alice Nelson

For 94 years the family of Alice Nelson was privileged to have her as a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and wife.

Alice was born and grew up in Golconda, Illinois.

After her junior year in high school, she left the small town and began her venture into the bigger world of learning and careers. She attended Sullins College for a year and then went to the University of Illinois where she studied research journalism.  While there she pledged Tri-Delta and was elected the president of the house on the Champagne-Urbana campus.

Tri-Delta chose Alice to be the first traveling consultant for their nationwide sorority system and she spent the next year with a travel trunk and a typewriter in hand, traveling the U.S. by herself and visiting beautiful campuses.  She never lost her love of campus or the college life.

One of the best, and oft recited memories was the summer she spent traveling the U.S. and Canada  with three of her college friends in a green Packard.  They saw everything!

In 1947 she returned to Illinois and met a returning GI, Carroll Roger Nelson. They  married in 1948. Carroll Roger and Alice moved to  Oregon where Carroll had done his basic training. They settled in Salem and they lived there for the rest of their lives. Still not done with the college life she went in the Admission’s office at Willamette University and became a counselor and the Panhellenic advisor for Willamette. She worked at the school until she retired in 1993.

But her finest role was being the mother to Carroll Ann (Ken), Clark (Pati), and Craig (Kris).  

In 2007, Carroll Roger and Alice moved to  Capital Manor. They enjoyed the busy life it gave them and Alice was the librarian for the manor for ten years.

Alice had a lifelong passion to mentor and support young students, especially young women. PEO was a very important part of her life and she had many wonderful and long lasting friendships with the Chapter AB PEO.

Alice was a 75 year member of Tri-Delta and attended functions at the house at Oregon State until recently. She just received her 75 year pin.  The Chapter AB would like to give a State Scholarship in Alice’s name.  Donations made in Alice’s name can be made to: Sue Corner, Treasurer Chapter AB PEO, 2545 Sunrise Ave. South, Salem, Oregon 97302.  If you wish to support the lifelong sisterhood of Tri-Delta, you may make a donation in Alice’s name to : Tri-Delta 14951 N. Dallas Parkway Suite 500 Dallas, Texas 75254.

Thank you, Mom for being a  wonderful person and mother!