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Obituary For Marion Vanette Nelson
In Loving Memory Of
Marion Vanette Nelson
March 16, 1929 – April 8, 2023
Marion Vanette Nelson, nèe Lefebvre, a devoted music teacher and beloved mother of five, passed away peacefully in the early hours on April 8th, 2023, at the Grande Prairie Care Centre in Grande Prairie, Alberta. She was 94.
Marion was born in Minot, North Dakota in 1929, and discovered her love for music at a young age. She met her future husband, Gerald Nelson, while both were studying at Minot State Teachers College (now North Dakota State University). They married and had five children: Billy, Mary Jo, Julianne, Michael, and Cathy. They divorced in 1982.
In those college years, she played saxophone in the Forte Five, an all-girl dance band that she formed with her two sisters and two friends.
Marion was a gifted violinist and clarinetist, but her true passion was teaching. She and Gerald taught all five of their children to play musical instruments.
Marion’s musical talents extended beyond her family. She was the lead 2nd violinist in the Grande Prairie College Community Orchestra, and lead clarinetist in the Grande Prairie College Community Band, both of which were founded and conducted by her then-husband, Gerald. She also had a successful violin and clarinet music studio for many years.
Marion was predeceased by her parents, William (Bill) (also a full-time instrumental music teacher) and Kathryn (Sully) Lefebvre, nèe Sullivan and her two sisters, Kaye and Lois Ann…both accomplished musicians. She was also preceded in death by two of her children, Julianne and Michael, who both lost their battles with cancer.
Despite her losses, Marion remained an inspiration to her family and friends, and continued to make music a significant part of her life.
Between closing her music studio and retiring, Marion spent her last years as a valued retail staff member at Grande Prairie Music, a store where she continued to share her love for music with the community she called home.
Marion’s memory will live on through her surviving children, Billy, Mary Jo, and Cathy, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless students whose lives she touched with her music and her kindness.
A celebration of Marion’s life will be announced at a later date.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 bearcreekfuneral.com
16/03/1929 08/04/2023
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta
death notice Marion Vanette Nelson 16/03/1929 08/04/2023
obituaries notice Marion Vanette Nelson 16/03/1929 08/04/2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Marion Vanette Nelson 16/03/1929 08/04/2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.