Marilyn Nelson

SCARBOROUGH — Marilyn S. Nelson, 82, passed away on May 4, 2013, at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a brief illness, with her son by her side.

She was born on Feb. 13, 1931, to Joseph Bartlett Sherman and Victoria Antoinette Fossett. She was schooled in a one-room schoolhouse in North Scarborough and graduated from Gorham High School in 1948. After high school, she attended Westbrook Junior College in 1950 and Maine Medical School of Technologist from 1950 to 1951.

Marilyn was a Registered Medical Technologist working at Maine Medical Center for 25 years, five of those years as Chief Medical Technologist of the lab. For many years, she worked at the family’s general store, O.E. Sherman & Son, and at several local florists where she obtained a love for working with flowers.

With that love for flowers, she sold cut flowers at her small roadside stand at Westbrook Farmers Market for over 20 years. She grew flowers herself and maintained a one-acre parcel single-handedly.

Marilyn always put family first and no sacrifice was ever too great when her family was involved. Her son can remember her wearing moccasin slippers all year round when they were little so she could afford to buy shoes for all the kids in the fall for school.

She belonged to the South Gorham Baptist Church, Oswantha Garden Club, National Registry of Medical Technologist, Mitzpa Chapter #3 Order of Eastern Star, former member of Tops #43 Westbrook, Gold Badge Life Member of Scarborough Fire Department Engine 5 and Tank 1 and a member of Gorham Fire Department, as well.

When Marilyn joined Scarborough Fire Department, she was the first active woman firefighter for the department. She also held the position of Department Clerk for many years. Most recently, her grandson Ryan became a fifth generation volunteer for Scarborough Fire Department, which she was very proud of.

She was predeceased by her husband, Cleon M. “Pete” Nelson in 1974; a son, Joseph E. Nelson in 2008; and a daughter, Kristy L. (Nelson) Barbour in 2009.

Marilyn is survived by her son, Cleon M. Nelson Jr. of Scarborough; a grandson, a granddaughter and stepgranddaughters, including Courtynye Bemis of Fryeburg.

A period of visitation was held Thursday, May 9, at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. Funeral services were be held on Friday, May 10, at the South Gorham Baptist Church, 53 County Road, Gorham. Burial followed at Riverside Cemetery in Yarmouth. Care for the Nelson family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to: The Scarborough Fire Department or Scarborough Police Explorers, 246 Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.