Nancy L. Nelson, of Mercer Island, died on May 14, 2009, at home. She was 79.

Mrs. Nelson was born on March 23, 1930, in Seattle, Wash., to Jay and Lina Larson. She was raised in Seattle, where she graduated from Saint Nicholas High School. Following high school, Mrs. Nelson furthered her education at the Scripps College and the University of Washington, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority.

On Aug. 25, 1950, she married Richard W. Nelson in Seattle. They lived in Hawaii, where he was stationed at the sub base in Pearl Harbor. In the spring of 1955, they settled on Mercer Island, where they raised their four children.

Mrs. Nelson supported numerous Mercer Island community, school and church events. She was an avid reader and even more avid Mariner’s fan; she and her husband had attended spring training yearly since 1996. A lover of cats, one of her greatest pleasures in life was rescuing feral cats.

Mrs. Nelson is remembered by her family as a woman who was blessed with a great sense of humor and a keen mind. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband, Richard Nelson, of Mercer Island; children, Cynthia Logan, of Spokane, Kristine Glaze and her husband, Paul, of Mercer Island, and Scott and Pete Nelson, of Mercer Island; brother, Allen Larson and his wife, Corrine, of Mercer Island; two grandchildren and a host of extended family members and friends.

A celebration of Mrs. Nelson’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Remembrances are suggested to a favorite charity.

Friends are invited to view photos, get directions and share memories in the family’s online guestbook at www.flintofts.com.