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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Neilson, Mary Barbara (Mccoll)

Age 95


NEILSON, Mary Barbara (McColl)

Mary was born in Tacoma, Washington, October 18, 1920, the daughter of Dr. Charles R. McColl and Catherine Reese McColl.

She graduated in 1938 from Stadium High School and from Washington State College June 1, 1942, as president of the Kappa Delta sorority.

On WSC graduation day, she also married Robert E. Neilson, WSC senior class president, in a Cross Swords Ceremony.



Throughout her life, Mary provided inspiring leadership in both volunteer and career positions.

Chosen as a Washington State Delegate, Mary attended the Republican National Convention in Chicago, was a member of the Washington State Electoral College in 1956, and a Leader Delegate to the 1956 Republican National Convention in Boston.

At the Convention, Mary presented a large salmon caught off the coast of Washington to Senator Joseph McCarthy.

“We thought it would be better than a red herring,” she said.

Mary served as the Washington state advisor on women’s activities for the National Foundation March of Dimes.

Mary’s distinguished career began in Spokane, where she worked in the Washington State Child Protective Services and then as YWCA Program Director.

In Olympia, Mary worked in Governor Dan Evan’s Washington State Office for Economic Opportunity and, in Seattle, she served as Director, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region X, where she received a “Distinguished Career Award” on June 3, 1993.



Mary is remembered with love, respect and gratitude by her sons, Robert McColl Neilson, and Scott Charles Neilson and daughter-in-law, Janice Secord Neilson; grandchildren, Jessica Neilson, Julie Neilson, Trevor Neilson, Rebecca Neilson, Andrea Cobb, Robert Neilson, Michael Neilson; and great-grandchildren, Jayda Cobb, Madeleine Neilson, Lucy Neilson, Kai Di Nuccio, Javaris Neilson, Keiayshai Neilson, Julia Lin, Jack Doty, Sofia Mitalis, Kosta Mitalis, and Beckett Spurgin.

Noah Di Nuccio, another great grandson, preceded her in death.



“Grandma Mary” brought huge balloon bouquets to all family gatherings and arrived on each Easter with a giant bunny in the passenger seat.

She enjoyed butterflies and often reminded us to observe their transformation achievement as a life lesson.



At 95, Mary died peacefully on May 15, 2016.

Her remains will be placed in a private family gathering at Fogerty Creek State Park on the Oregon Coast, a property donated by the McColl family.



“We love you to the moon and back.



Arrangements are with Funeral Alternatives
of Washington, 360-753-1065.