Helen Tomasina Nelson

Obituary Helen Nelson, our beloved Nana, passed away surrounded by her family on November 28th after suffering from a stroke. Born Helen Tomasina Manarino in 1915 to Rosa Tucci and Giuseppe Manarino, she was the youngest of five and grew up in a close-knit Italian neighborhood in Tacoma. She graduated from St. Leo's after attending Bryant Elementary and Jason Lee Jr. High. While working at the Tacoma News Tribune she met Don Nelson and they were married in October of 1940. Helen and Don raised three sons and were married for 45 years until Don passed away in 1986. Helen's family was the center of her life and included her three sons and their families of eight granddaughters, one great-granddaughter and another great-grandchild on the way. She loved playing tennis, golf and bowling, was an avid Mariners and PGA fan and played in a lively bridge group up until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, sister Mary Desimon, and brothers Michael and Bruno Manarino. She is survived by sister Thelma Del Valle, sisters-in-law Ruth Manarino and Elane Nelson, son David (Susan) Nelson of Tacoma, Doug (Virginia) Nelson of Bend, OR, son Dennis (Susan) Nelson of Atlanta, GA, granddaughters Kim Ottele, Kristin Cakarnis, Lisa Steenson, Kourtney, Karly, and Jenna Nelson, Annalise and Kara Nelson, and great-granddaughter Grace Ottele. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Rita's Catholic Church at 10:30 am on Friday, December 1, 2006. Vigil service will be Thursday, November 30 at 7:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Donations can be made to the Franciscan Foundation (PO Box 1502, Tacoma, 98401; www.foundation.FHShealth.org ).