Marilyn Nelson
Jan. 10, 1935 – Jan. 18, 2025
Marilyn “Joni” Nelson, mother, teacher, volunteer and founding board member with numerous organizations, passed peacefully of natural causes on Jan. 18, 2025, in the comfort of her home in Brownsville.
She had just celebrated her 90th birthday with over 100 friends and family. Joni remained vital and independent.
Although she was born in Paris, France, her family were part of the dynamic community that built Portland in the 1880s; and many family members remain in Oregon to this day. She attended Pomona College, University of Hawaii Manoa and Long Beach State.
She and first husband, James Jones, shared a love for the ocean, including surfing. Joni won the First International Tandem Surfing Contest in 1954 with Walter Hoffman.
As a single mom, Joni raised Karen, Linda and Jeff by actively participating in their many extracurricular and academic interests while teaching in the Laguna Beach School District in Southern California. In their Volkswagen bus, they camped throughout the West and spent summer days at San Onofre Surf Club.
She met her second husband, William “Bill/Ace” Nelson while skiing. They married and combined her three children with his three, Alec, Mark, and Barney. Bill and Joni were a dynamic couple, actively engaged in the Laguna Beach community and with broader interests in sustainability and the welfare of families.
Joni always loved nature and throughout her life backpacked throughout the Sierra Nevadas and Cascades with friends, children and grandchildren.
In the late 1970s, they brought this proactive and hands-on energy to Brownsville. Joni used her backgrounds in English, fine art, set/costume design, grant writing and research to better serve the community.
She was the pivotal support for many projects, including the Linn County Historical Museum, Carriage Me Back; and the restoration of the historic Moyer House. She was organizing events and giving tours until her passing.
Joni worked tirelessly to improve and enhance Brownsville, always feisty and always with vibrancy and warmth.
She is survived by their six children: Alec, Karen, Linda, Mark, Jeff, Barney; numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband William “Bill/Ace” Nelson.
A celebration of Joni’s life will be held at a later time.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.