Marian (Brennan) Nelson
May 7, 1945 - July 20, 2020
Marian (Brennan) Nelson passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 20, 2020 with family at her side. We hope that the first thing she did on the other side was to give a hug to her husband of almost 49 years, Tony Nelson, who died in 2016.
Born May 7, 1945 to parents Iolanda (Rinetti) Brennan and Andrew John Brennan in Vallejo California, Marian was the oldest sister of a trio of characters including her brothers (“Mandrew”) Andrew and (“I’m adopted”) Matthew. She would often recall childhood stories of the good times, laughter and tears she had with her many cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and extended family. Extra special memories were of travelling to the family cabin up in Idaho next to the Buffalo River, and her grandparents’ cabin at Big Springs, Idaho.
Marian grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where she attended Judge Memorial Catholic High School and participated in cheerleading. Later she went to University of Utah and majored in Elementary Education while also a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. After graduating she married her “sweetie” Tony Nelson and moved to Rochester, New York and started a career as an elementary school teacher.
Marian and Tony were blessed with two children. When her firstborn, Peter, arrived in 1971, Marian advanced into taking care of him and Patrick who was born in 1975 full time. When the family moved to Nashua, New Hampshire she took an about turn in life from attending neighborhood bridge group nights to begin working at Immaculate Conception Parish. This would lead to a career in religious education.
She started to work full time, and became very involved in the Church, including prayer groups, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), CCD (religious teaching program of the Catholic Church), and other activities. She was nicknamed the “Church Lady” by her son’s neighborhood friends and delighted in embarrassing Peter and Patrick at all these locations with loud singing, clapping during mass, and leading their CCD classes at home in front of their school classmates. As Tony’s employment shifted from state to state, she worked for the Church and with the pastoral teams at Holy Family Parish in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and then St. Thomas More in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She would eventually earn a master’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago in Pastoral Studies.
As a Catholic, Marian was moved by the Gospel to serve others. A large part of her life was her involvement in various parishes RCIA program to help people being their new faith journey as a Catholic. Sharing the positive message of the faith was important to her. She volunteered at organizations such as the Peace House and the Aleman Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Social justice and serving others became an important part of her life.
Epictetus said, “It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” When her husband of almost 49 years Tony and others were tragically killed by an intoxicated motorist while cycling shortly after her cancer had returned with a Stage 4 diagnosis, she did not take the turmoil this brought to her life sitting down. Marian continued living life and loving others. Even as chemo and cancer wreaked havoc on her body, she continued to volunteer and help others during this time. It was not the struggle with cancer or the death of her husband that defined her life, rather it was her faith and embodiment of loving others unconditionally. Faced with weeks left of life, she continued to think of others with concern and love, trying to take care of them when she needed assistance the most
Members of her surviving family include her two sons, Peter (Jackie Low) and their children: Ripley and Tess Nelson-Low; and Patrick (Cathy) and their children: Ruth and Cora. She is also survived by her two beloved brothers, Andrew and Matthew, her sister-in-law Mindy (Nelson) MacDougal, and extended family which so enriched her life as well as a large network of lifelong friends. Their collective prayers, phone calls, cards, texts, emails, visits and love surrounded her and brought peace to her in her final years. We will all tremendously miss her as a fantastic mother, grandmother, friend, and true positive influence on all around her.
The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude for all the love and care she received from the staff, doctors and workers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Huntsman at Home and the CNS Hospice Nursing team, the Western Michigan Cancer Center, the University of Utah Hospital ER & Rehabilitation Teams and the caregivers from Danville Support Services who made her final days comfortable. As we undoubtedly have missed including people on this list, thank you to anyone not mentioned.
Funeral Mass and celebration of life will be held post-pandemic, time and date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Peace House in Kalamazoo and Trauma Recovery Associates.
In Loving Memory
Marian was such a wonderful friend. She had the most amazing grace and positive attitude in all the difficulties that life threw at her. I feel lucky to have been able to visit her in home in Salt Lake City and see all the landmarks from her early years. She treasured all the memories.
I’m very sorry to hear of Marian’s passing. I remember always being greeted at St Tom’s by her enormous smile. I wish your family strength during this time of healing. -Sondra Menefee (Romano)
I was blessed to have the opportunity of leading a delegation including both Tony and Marian to El Salvador and getting to know them much better. They were both very special people. I miss Marian's positive energy and deep faith- she was a clear example for any person of faith. I treasure the shawl that both she and Tony made me when I temporarily left for Boston in 2011. Hoping that they both, united, continue the good fight from the other side of eternity. Blessings and prayers to her family.
I was so saddened to hear of Marion's passing ! I met her at St. Tom's in Kalamazoo and she was the nicest, sweetest person. She always took the time to talk to all. Our loss is heavens gain ! Tony and Marion...together again !
Sincere condolences to Marian's family. Sad to hear this news. Marian was an incredible person-- loving and welcoming to so many. Libby HC
Our loss is heaven’s gain! The joy Marian shared on this earth was unmeasurable! I first met Marian (and Tony) in 1996 when we began the RCIA program at St Tom’s. The support she gifted me with through the years was immeasurable! She was the first person to visit me after a difficult kidney surgery. When my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer, she would call to simply check in and offer encouragement, “Every day is a gift”. It was not unusual to return from an exhausting day with doctors to find soup she had dropped off at my front door. In later years, we would see each other at the Art Institute gleaning enrichment... Marian always coming from the preparing meals for the homeless. What a treasure her gentle manner and genuine smile was for all. She will be missed. I pray for strength as your family deals with you loss and pride for all Marian accomplished in her humble life! Blessings to each of you!
It was a blessing to us to know Marian in her unlimited compassion and giving to us, personally, and others in our community. She was very energetic about hand clapping while singing hymns. We loved her beautiful smile and ability to really listen to you when you were talking. May she find peace and happiness in her reunion with Tony in Heaven!
Dear Family, I'm so sorry about your mother. She was kind, thoughtful, intelligent and a lot of fun! I knew both your mother and father quite well in college. I was also a Pi Phi and Tony was an SAE and one of his fraternity brothers and fellow swim team member, Kim, and I double dated with them many time over 3 years. We had great fun! "Pig's Dinner" (basically a HUGE banana split served in a wooden trough) at a local ice cream shop after swim meets, Pi Phi and SAE formals and parties and many times pizza and movie double dates. I have so many fond memories of them during our college years. Your parents left you a great legacy. I was privileged to know them. My deepest condolences to the family. Margaret Anne Murphy Lozuk Carlsbad, California
How fortunate we have been being blessed with Marian’s presence and grace! She channeled Gods joy and goodness ALWAYS! My favorite memory was a Pentecost Sunday when the visiting priest did not show up. There was Marian, in her red dress, up on the alter leading us through a dynamic service. The energy she brought to our community was beyond words. We’ll hold her (and Tony) close to our hearts especially during the Easter Triduum and mystagogy. We are so very sorry for your loss. Terry Brown and Lue Cervone
I am so sorry for your loss. The world is a better place because of Marian's life. She was a. Inspiration to me and a solid rock in times of trouble for me and my family. Her love lives on!
Marian was really a Walking Good Heart. She was a consummate professional in Religious Education at Holy Family Parish and I had the privilege of working with her. May she enjoy her reunion with Tony and her beloved Jesus. Marsha Adamczyk
Marian was one of a kind; she was such a joy to be around and always lifted my spirits. I was so honored to care for her over the last year. Marian was a fighter and did so with eloquence. I will miss seeing her smiling face. Sending my deepest condolences to her wonderful family, whom she cared so deeply about. I love Marian and she will always have a place in my heart! Love, Cassie Kuhn (Huntsman at Home)
Dear Brennan family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your sister Marian. I do not remember her very well. We probably only met once a long time ago in Salt Lake. My brother Dan told us that she was sick with cancer which unfortunately I know about all too well. My wife passed from lung cancer in May 2019. So I have somewhat of an idea of the suffering that she went through. I read her obituary and was quite impressed with her life's accomplishments and how she really was a tremendous person. I hope to maybe catch up with you again Andrew. I am retired but went back to work part time. Most of my free time is spent with my two boys who live and work in San Francisco. Last November the boys and I did a running race around Lake Merrit in Oakland. It reminded me of the time that Andrew had that great studio next to Lake Merrit. That was a great place. Anyway, I am again very sorry for your loss and hope you guys are doing as well as can be expected. sincerely, Tom Smyth
Dear Brennans and Nelsons, I am so happy to have known Marian, her parents, Andrew and Matt. The Smyth family is very saddened by Marian's passing away and so very proud to have known her. My sincerest condolences, Kathleen Smyth Lampe
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of beloved, Marian. I have always had great memories of Marian and Tony when I was in RCIA. They were always very welcoming and such a joy to be around. I always thought that they were the sweetest couple and I was planning my wedding at the time and I just kept thinking to myself that I hope my love for Keith would be that same wonderful partnership and love that they had for each other. They were always such great mentors to me. I was so very sad when Tony died so tragically. It just broke my heart. I know that they are now reunited and together again with the Lord. May God bless them both and your entire family. Love, Tammy Boneburg
To the family of Marian Nelson, Please accept my condolences for the passing of Marian. My parents, siblings, and I used to go to church at St. Thomas More in Kalamazoo so that's how we know her. She was always so nice to everyone at church!! Please know that I am praying for your family during this time. God's love be with you all, Melissa (Ritzer) Gast
Marian and Tony spread God's love to everyone they encountered. We were blessed to have known them.
In Loving Memory
