Margaret Nelson

11/07/1926-03/04/2017

Our beloved mother, friend, and Nana has departed after 90 inspir-ing years. She was a treasured confidante, supporter, and encour-ager who truly embodied kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, in-telligence, grace and class. She believed in people, in truth, in po-tential, and in the uniqueness of each person she knew and loved. Nana was a beautiful force of positive energy and optimism. She will live forever in the hearts of everyone who was fortunate to have met her.

Nana’s universe was her family and how lucky we were to inhabit it. She brought out the best in each of us by making us feel loved, heard, understood, and accepted. She also had a true gift for let-ting all people feel how dear they were to her. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who knew Peg and didn’t feel that they too were family…and they were. She lived a life without judgment and set an example of what it means to really value others, regardless of what they may look like, what their beliefs may be, who they love, where they came from, what struggles they face, or what re-sources they have. She loved as we all should.

Peggy was a marvelous woman who embraced every moment in her life with an understanding of what was truly important. She was gracious, intelligent, and progressive…and also, so very much fun! She was joyful and spontaneous, living presently in every moment. She traveled the world taking it all in and making lifelong friends in nearly every country and locale she visited. She embraced culture and art, food and sights, and always carried a respectful desire to really learn about life and people in other places. She instilled this in many, and we will continue to carry her with us as we adventure.

She was also a loyal Jazz fan, from the brass band days in the Salt Palace, up and down and up and down again. She loved her Utah Utes team too, and completed a March Madness bracket every year (with an eye on the teams where her loved ones were con-nected). She loved Halloween and seeing all kids so tickled by it. She sat in the hard chairs of countless auditorium events over many years, beaming with pride and letting the young ones know how very special they are. She volunteered as a “pink lady,” a mu-seum docent, a provider of services to those in need, and in so many other realms. She played bridge with her ladies for decades. She planned festive family fun with souvenirs, and kept this vibrant family cemented together. She told stories of the generations be-fore her to keep their memories alive and a part of us. She worked in her own yard until she was 88, despite the best efforts of many with good intentions. Her independent nature and determination were among her most lovable traits and will live on. She was au-thentic to the very end.

Timeless and remarkable perhaps do not even adequately de-scribe the way in which Peggy Nelson existed in the world. There has never been, nor will there ever be, another that could come close to our Nana Peg. She was one of a kind, from a mold that was broken after her, and truly one of the best we have been privi-leged to know and love. She leaves a tremendous legacy.

Her self expression was an absolute joy to experience. Our family honors her matriarchal role and the values she shared, a gift we will continue to honor.

“Mom, you are unique to our hearts and we will miss you dearly.”

She is survived by her kids Mike Nelson (Mimi), Suzanne Plumb (Jack), Steve Nelson (Kim), Chris Nelson (Rosemary), Andrea Ow-ens (John) and Kathleen Nelson, as well as by 12 grandkids, and 1 great-grand child (another on the way). She will be greeted in a joyous reunion with her dearest husband Don, who departed 26 years before her, as well as her beloved Mother Belva, Father Har-ry,Brother Bob, Sister-in-law Betty, Son-in-law Jack, Grandchildren Andy and Reuben. Thank you to the incredibly caring staff at The Lodge @ Valeo Hospice Center. They were a second family to our Nana during her last days. Peggy gave generously to so many causes, all of which spoke to her heart and mind. In lieu of flowers, if you feel compelled, contribute to something that speaks to your heart as well.