Obituary: Nelson, Mary Lou

NELSON,
Mary Lou
1927 ~ 2016

With Mary Lou’s passing on January 29, the world has become a little less surprising, less daring, and less mischievous.

She con- fronted the way things are with a laugh and bent the world to her.

Mary Lou loved words and was a for- midable Scrabble opponent and a champion crossword puzzler.

After graduation from Kiser High School in Dayton, OH, she worked as a clerk-typist at Wright-Patterson AFB, moving up to secretary (AC Electronics and the Tobacco Institute in DC); she retired in 1988 from Delco Products as the salaried-payroll accountant for five General Motors factories.

During her career she raised a daughter, appeared on a TV quiz show, traveled often to Europe, spent time with grandchildren, cared for her dog Puff, and delighted in great-grandchildren.

After retirement, she resided in Spokane 1993-98, returned to Dayton to be near friends and family, and settled finally in Spokane in 2013.

She is survived by her brothers, Thomas (Dayton) and Roger (Haines City, FL) Werckman; her daughter, Alexis Nelson and husband John Downey; granddaughter Meara; grandson Ben and wife Denise; great-grandchildren Austin and Cora; and many long-time friends.

We all miss her throaty laugh, her challenging honesty, and her sparkle.