Marilyn "Lynn" Nau

She was the most beautiful woman. On April 28, 2025, our precious mother, Lynn Nau passed away in Phoenix, Arizona. It seems like forever ago. Traveling through life without her is hard—but life with her was Joy.

Marilyn “Lynn” Louise Dodson was born on August 6, 1933, to parents, Walter and Emma Dodson of Phoenix, Arizona. Along with her sister, Dorothy, the family moved during her youth from Phoenix to Hannibal, Missouri, and back again to Phoenix where they resided in a tiny, 500-square foot house with no air conditioning on Richland Street. Family finances were tight during her early years, requiring her to sleep in a baby crib until she was six years old…legs through the bars. Despite cozy quarters, Mom treasured memories of life growing up on Richland Street.

The family later moved to a charming home on the then outskirts of Phoenix, complete with green Christmas tree shutters and a regular sized bed for her. Mom enrolled in North High School where she was twice elected Girl’s State President. As a young girl, she was shy, insecure, always believing she was not enough. But she was far more than enough.

As a daughter of parents with elementary school educations, pursuit of a college degree was an unwavering passion, eventually attending the University of Arizona with a full scholarship. She graduated in 1955 with a dual bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and Elementary Education. Daily life as an elementary school teacher was filled with ups and downs. But no matter how challenging her classroom of forty-eight 2nd grade students was, when the school bell rang at the end of the day, children lined up to hug her goodbye.

Life forever changed for Mom when she traveled to Annapolis, Maryland and stepped inside the newly constructed St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where young pastor, Arlo Nau, served. Who knew the two would become inseparable? A match made in Heaven.They wed on December 29, 1957, in the church sanctuary, a candlelight ceremony filled with the promise of happiness. And so it was.

The role of a pastor’s wife, living on a modest salary, was not always smooth, but as Dad said, “Whoever thought poverty could be so much fun!” Mom and Dad moved to New York State. The two became seven over the next several years with the births of Shawn, Yanna, Kyria, Joel, and Krista. Life was an adventure on a shoestring, with Mom finding joy at every turn.

As children, we remember a host of Mom’s passion projects – selling environmentally friendly Shaklee cleaning products (before people seemed to care about the environment), being among the first to make homemade yogurt, sprinkling wheat germ on…everything, baking homemade bread at midnight, sewing on a treadle machine, and singing with us in the round.

Dad’s position as a campus pastor at the University of New York at Buffalo led to the opening of Resurrection House, a Christian student center located in a once funeral home building. Together, Mom and Dad brought vibrance to Resurrection House. Students quickly became family, leading to lifelong bonds. Student, Margo Peryea, brought the precious gift of music to Sunday services.

Living in the university town of Buffalo, Mom was inspired to pursue graduate studies, earning a master’s degree in library science. Her career branched out to serve as a school librarian.

The call of family eventually pulled Mom and Dad from New York back to Phoenix, Arizona, which became their forever home. Mom retired from the Paradise Valley School system as school librarian in 2000.

In retirement, Mom became a champion for social change, advocating for gay rights and for the fair and caring treatment of prisoners — positively changing lives as the people she touched positively changed hers. Faith Lutheran Church in Phoenix became her second home, with Mom staying up to 2:00 a.m. preparing Sunday School lessons.

On September 4, 2018, Dad passed away with Mom by his side, leaving an indelible hole in her life. Mom’s prayer was always to be reunited with him in Heaven. She repeatedly said, “I live in hope.”

Mom was the perfect picture of Grace. Always thankful. Always caring. Her favorite saying was, “We have so much to be thankful for.” Yes, we do Mom. And it starts with you.

Lynn Nau is survived by son Shawn Nau (Laurie), daughter Yanna Kruse (Ron), daughter Kyria Peavy (Scott), son Joel Nau (Annie), daughter Krista Reyes (Junior), and niece Pam Schlieter. She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Nathan, Emmily, Kaleigh, Noah, Luke, Fletcher, Savannah, Samuel, Rebekah, Amelia, and Julia.

A Celebration of Life Service will be hosted in honor of Lynn Nau at Faith Lutheran Church on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. The family welcomes memorial gifts to Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA), located at 801 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona.