family,
It is never easy to lose a member of your family, and the loss of a mother is especially profound.
My mother, Linda Nelson, passed away on Friday, March 21st, 2025, at the age of 82, after a long battle with dementia. She was surrounded by her loving husband of 60 years, her two children, grandchildren, nephews, and two of her brothers-in-law.
Mom married my father, Dave, in 1964, and they moved from Edmonds, Washington, to Beaverton the same year. She graduated from Lewis and Clark College in 1965, and shortly after, she was hired by the Lake Oswego School District. It was there that she taught Kindergarten for 34 years before retiring in 1999.
In late 2006 they purchased a small cabin in Rhododendron and enjoyed spending time in the area with family and friends. She was active for many years as a member of the Hoodland Women’s Club and would routinely attend meetings and local events.
In addtion to spending time on the mountain, along with my father, she travelled extensively across the globe until around 2018, when age began to catch up with her.
In her free time, she was an avid crafter and had an extensive collection of card-making and stamping tools. But what she loved most was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
As I write this letter, I’m still coming to terms with the magnitude of my loss. One thing I know for sure is that life will never be the same without her.
I love you, Mom.
Matthew Nelson
Your Publisher, The Mountain Times.