Mary Joan Nelson

January 19, 1932-August 2, 2024

Mary “Joan” Judd Nelson passed away on August 2, 2024 in Spokane Valley, Washington. Joan was born to Mary Gertrude Patterson Judd and Glenn Judd on January 19, 1932 in the small farming community of Ewan, WA. As a young girl, Joan would spend summers on the family farm with her grandparents, learning needlework skills from her grandmother and helping to prepare food for the harvest crew. Joan graduated from Cheney High School and went on to attend Eastern Washington University where she earned her degree in Education. Immediately upon graduating, she took a position with West Valley School District where she taught for 38 years. Joan was a passionate and dedicated teacher, with several of her students staying in touch with her throughout the years.

Soon after beginning her career at WVSD, Joan was introduced to her husband, Laurence (Larry) J Nelson, by a fellow teacher and her future mother-in-law, Dorothy. Joan and Larry were married in 1961 and made Spokane Valley their home. Together they enjoyed many years of league bowling; annual trips to the Oregon coast; membership and community service at their church, Holy Trinity Lutheran; regular visits to the family farm in St John, WA during the harvest season; and attending school and sporting events for nieces, nephews and, later, their growing families.

Joan found immense joy in creating needlework gifts for others. She sewed clothing for her nieces and nephews when they were young and also provided them with a wardrobe of doll clothes. As a founding member of the “Tuesday Thimbles,” she attended weekly meetings where she created and gifted dozens of meticulously sewn quilts to friends and family. In addition, she provided quilts and crocheted afghans to various organizations helping people in need.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Glenn; husband, Larry; sister, Lois Williams; and brother-in-law, Virgil “Bud” Wagner. She is survived by her sister Jean (Bud) Wagner (St John, WA); brother-in-law Michael (Lois) Williams (Othello, WA); nephew, Michael (Eloisa) Williams (Spokane Valley, WA); niece, Lori (Mac Thorn) Valdez (Moses Lake, WA); nephew, John Wagner (Atlanta, GA); and, niece, Marcea (Gary) Newton (St John, WA) as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. Our family will never forget the love she brought into our lives, we mourn her passing and celebrate her life.

A viewing will be held at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206, on August 22, 2024 from 3 to 5 PM. A graveside service will be held at Pines Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206, on August 23, 2024 at 9 AM. Memorial Service to follow at 10 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2511 S. Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local hospice or Hospice of Spokane.