Fay M. Nelson

Fay Margurite Nelson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the age of 94 – which was frankly more than 10 years later than she had initially planned. She was blessed to have lived a long life filled with friends and family, to whom she has left a legacy of dedication and generosity.

Born in Durham, Ontario on March 14, 1929, to James and Sadie McGirr, Fay was welcomed to the world by her elder brother, Dale, and an expansive roster of Canadian aunts, uncles, and cousins – all of whom she would remain close with throughout her long life. Growing up in northern Allen Park, in the house her father built, she graduated from Melvindale High School shortly after World War II and went to work at the local VA Hospital. It was during this time that she met a handsome veteran named Lawrence Nelson, to whom she would spend more than 40 years married until his passing in 1991. Together they had four children and, eventually, ten grandchildren.

Fay was an active, lifelong member of the Allen Park Presbyterian Church, participating in their couples’ clubs and attending family camps. Following her retirement from secretarial work at Ford Motor Company, Fay dedicated her time to supporting (and enjoying) the arts: she proudly served on the board of the Overture Society supporting the Southern Great Lakes Symphony Orchestra and volunteered as an usher at the Detroit Opera House and for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She also found a way to put her problem-solving skills to use when she joined the “Call For Action” team at WXYZ Channel 7 in Detroit, helping those in need in the Metro Detroit area.

Fay was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, and her daughter Karen Sowislo.  She is survived by her children, Wendy (Steve) Reimers, Craig (Vicki) Nelson, and Laura (Raymond) Betham; her grandchildren, Sarah Reimers, Erik Reimers, Jaime Reimers, Karl Sowislo, Erin (Nelson) Addison, Rachel Nelson, Brittany Betham, Colleen (Sowislo) Detchev, Brian Nelson, and Neil Betham; and her 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held for Fay 11:00am Saturday, March 9 (Gathering at church 10:30am) at the Allen Park Presbyterian Church, 7101 Park Avenue, Allen Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Allen Park Presbyterian Church Organ Fund.