Diana Esther Lund Nelson

Diana Esther Lund Nelson passed away on the morning of March 15, 2010 surrounded by her loving family in her new floating home near Sauvie Island. She succumbed to colon cancer after a brave battle lasting six months. For everyone whose life she touched, she will have a special place in their heart.

“Dee”, the name used by family and old friends, was born in Astoria, Oregon on February 11, 1947 to Sven Bernhard and Elsa Viola Lund. All through her life she was equally proud of her hometown as she was of her Swedish ancestry.

After graduating from Astoria High School in 1965 she attended the University of Oregon and received a BA degree in General Science in 1969. She continued her studies at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene where she became a registered Medical Technologist, MT (ASCP) in 1970.

In Eugene, Dee established many of her life-long friends while also excelling academically. She was President of Delta Gamma Sorority, Member of Mortar Board, Angel Flight, and was active in student government. Dee met John Nelson of Portland at the U of O, and the two were married on December 20, 1969.

Her professional career began in the lab at Portland’s Physicians and Surgeons Hospital in 1970. A year later the young couple moved to Edinburgh, Scotland where Diana joined the Western General and Northern General Hospitals as a research and hematology technologist while John pursued post graduate work at the University of Edinburgh. Two years later the couple relocated to the Cotswold Hills in England and Diana continued laboratory duties at Cheltenham General Hospital while John taught at the local college.

During the UK years they established enduring friendships, enjoyed “hill walking”, bicycling, traveling in northern Europe, and opening their small flat to visitors from abroad. In 1972 they visited ancestral homelands in Sweden, a significant occasion in itself; however their car, most possessions and passports were stolen which forced them to stay in Scandinavia for almost a month. Thanks to the generosity of a college exchange student who Dee met in Eugene the couple managed quite well!

Returning to the US in 1974, the Nelson’s made their home in Urbana, Illinois. Diana joined the laboratory staff at Carle Clinic and Hospital as a Hematology Supervisor and John taught at the University of Illinois. She earned her Specialist in Hematology (SH) credential in 1977. That year brought the greatest and most joyful event by far, the birth of their son, Andrew.

Oregon roots were deeply embedded in Diana and John so they returned to Portland in the late ‘70’s and Diana joined Good Samaritan Hospital. She immensely enjoyed the lab and her co-workers, but was increasingly drawn to research and teaching. In 1985 she joined the Thrombosis and Hemostasis lab at Oregon Health & Science University as the Lead Technologist. These years were intellectually rewarding and her close-knit circle of lab professionals developed a scholarly and social camaraderie that continues to this day.

In 1986, the family expanded with baby Sarah. A daughter brought Diana the opportunity to pass on her baking skills, and she instilled an appreciation and discipline for ballet and piano. Ironically, it was horseback riding that really thrilled the young girl, an activity that found Diana somewhat uncomfortable.

The final stage in Diana’s career came in the late 1990’s when she accepted a position with the United States division of French laboratory technology manufacturer Diagnostica Stago. Diana served the western region of North America as a technical specialist supporting laboratory clients through training and education. In this capacity, Diana traveled extensively from Honolulu to Paris as well as to small remote hospitals that now, thanks to technological advancement and micro-computers, could provide patients with laboratory testing and diagnostics previously offered only in larger cities.

During her career she was a frequent lecturer, facilitated technical training, contributed to numerous studies, and published papers associated with bleeding disorders. She took a special interest in VonWillebrand Disease (a common hereditary coagulation abnormality) due in part to its discovery in the Aland Islands of Sweden.

Throughout her busy and demanding four-decade career, Diana remained a loving daughter, a devoted mother and spouse, and a true friend to all she met. She was an active member of St. Thomas More Church and a dependable volunteer at both the Parish school and Jesuit High School where both children attended. She enjoyed the family sailboat, traveling, long hikes in Forest Park, and Oregon Duck football games in the fall. Dee loved the outdoors and climbed Mount St. Helens one year before the eruption as well as Mt. Hood and numerous smaller peaks.

Her home was always a warm and friendly place for all to visit, especially at Christmas with Swedish decorations and the smell of ginger cookies. She always had time for her friends in her trademark unhurried and comfortable manner and managed to balance a demanding career with family producing success and satisfaction in both. She will always be remembered for her artistic Christmas Cards - 39 in a row - often wood block prints or sometimes a colorful collage.

Dee is survived by her husband of 40 years John Nelson, her daughter Sarah (23) of Portland, her son Andrew (33) and daughter-in-law Lindsay of Seattle, and her two brothers Jon of Eugene, and Mark of Astoria. An older brother Karl died in 1945.