Sept.  24, 1926 – Oct. 17, 2012

Margie, as she was known to most of her friends, was born in Washington, DC. At an early age, she moved to Berkeley, Calif. As a young child, she was entrusted with many of the responsibilities of caring for her younger sisters, Helen and Anne.

When Margie was a teenager, her family left California and moved to Kansas City where she graduated from Shawnee Mission Rural High School. Her family then returned to Southern California where she enrolled in college and began to study art.

The first time Margie met Vance Nelson it was at a party of a mutual friend. Vance said at that time she was young and “just a girl” who didn’t impress him much. He was 16 years old and she was about 14.

In 1943, Vance joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Fleet. When he came back for Christmas in 1946, the pair met again. Vance Nelson was surprised that the young girl had grown up and was now a beautiful young lady and so a courtship began. They were married on Feb. 2, 1947 and honeymooned in Yosemite. They had three children, sons Vard and Boyd and daughter Anita; three grandchildren, Karena, Heidi and Dane; and their great grandchildren Anna, Molly and Sam.

Margie was always active in her community and supported her family’s activities. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years, a Sunday school teacher who went on to serve on many committees and missions at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, a Head Start volunteer, and a supporter of the La Cañada Tournament of Roses. For 17 years she built homes for Habitat for Humanity in Tutwiler, Miss.

Margie enjoyed sharing insights with her interfaith book group and her women’s authors’ book group.

Once her children were grown, Margie took up china painting at which she excelled and became a member of the Valley Porcelain Artists. She generously gifted many people with her beautiful hand painted china.

Margie also supported Vance’s interests and became a member of the National Speleological Society and was very active in a support role and also sometimes exploring caves with Vance.

Margie and Vance loved dancing together and began square dancing with Sets and Steps in the 1960s and continued dancing until shortly before Margie passed away. The couple enjoyed playing bridge with friends and were members of The Clippers at LCPC.

Margie greatly appreciated the fine arts. She loved to attend live theater and concerts and stroll through art museums.

Margie was a gracious hostess, ready at a moment to open her home to visitors and friends and willing to lend a hand to a worthy cause. She always had a warm smile and a kind word for those she met. She was a loving wife, wonderful mother, doting grandmother and great grandmother, a good sister and friend. Her grace and charm will be greatly missed.

A celebration of her life will be held on Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. In keeping with Margie’s dedication to serving others, the family has requested donations to any of the following charities in lieu of flowers:

International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation, 8144 Clark Center Ave., Sarasota FL 34238 www.iwmf.com; Tutwiler Clinic and Outreach, 205 Alma St., Tutwiler, Miss. 38963 www.tutwilerclinic.org; West Tallahatchie Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 448, Tutwiler, Miss. 38963.