Marilyn S. Nelson

She was born on February 13, 1931 to Joseph Bartlett Sherman and Victoria Antoinette Fossett. She was schooled in a one room school house in North Scarborough and graduated from Gorham High School in 1948. After high school she attended Westbrook Junior College in 1950 and Maine Medical School of Technologist from 1950 to 1951.

Marilyn was a Registered Medical Technologist working at Maine Medical Center for 25 years, 5 of those years as Chief Medical Technologist of the lab. For many years she worked at the family’s general store O. E. Sherman & Son and at several local florists where she obtained a love with working with flowers.

With that love for flowers, she sold cut flowers at her small roadside stand at Westbrook Farmers Market for over 20 years. The flowers she grew herself and maintained a 1 acre parcel singled handedly.

Marilyn always put family first and no sacrifice was ever too great when her family was involved. Her son can remember her wearing moccasin slippers all year round when they were little so she could afford to buy shoes for all the kids in the fall for school.

She belonged to the South Gorham Baptist Church, Oswantha Garden Club, National Registry of Medical Technologist, Mitzpa Chapter #3 Order of Eastern Star, former member of tops #43 Westbrook, Gold badge Life Member of Scarborough Fire Department Engine 5 and Tank 1 and a member of Gorham Fire Department as well.

When Marilyn joined Scarborough Fire Department, she was the first active woman firefighter for the department. She also held the position of Department Clerk for many years. Most recently her grandson Ryan became the 5th generation volunteer for Scarborough Fire Department, which she was very proud of.

She was predeceased by her husband Cleon M. “Pete” Nelson in 1974, a son Joseph E. Nelson in 2008 and a daughter Kristy L. (Nelson) Barbour in 2009.

Marilyn is survived by her son Cleon M. Nelson Jr., grandson Ryan J. Nelson and daughter-in-law Lorinda B. Nelson all of Scarborough; granddaughter Jessica Marquis of Gray; step granddaughters Alison Whitaker of Buxton, Courtynye Bemis of Fryeburg and son-in-law George L. Barbour of Reno, NV.

A period of visitation for Marilyn will be held this Thursday, May 9th from 5 to 8 PM at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. Funeral services for Marilyn will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday the 10th at the South Gorham Baptist Church, 53 County Rd. Gorham. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Yarmouth.

Mama,

Your love, warm heart and smile will always be remembered. I have a sad and heavy heart right now, but I know your smile is shining down from heaven.

Your unconditional love, encouragement and even the quick tug on the shirt collar along with a quick swift kick to the seat of my pants has given me guidance throughout life. For this I am truly grateful.

Until I can see you again, I will always smile as I look up at the stars at night knowing you are in God’s arms.

All my love, Cleon

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to the Scarborough Fire Department or Scarborough Police Explorers, 246 Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Care for the Nelson family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland.