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Mary Christine Nelson, beloved wife of Bill Nelson, of Lucknow, passed away peacefully with family by her side at Huron Hospice, Clinton on Friday November 28, 2025 at the age of 76. She was born on December 8, 1948, in Wingham, daughter of the late Elizabeth (MacKenzie) and Roy Finlayson. Mother of Jonathan (Joan) Nelson of Lucknow and Sarah (Sean) Emack of Russell. Also greatly missed by grandchildren Jessica, Zoe Anne, William, Duncan and Beth. Survived by sister in law Barbara (Art) Helm of Lucknow, niece Denise Helm (Noel Hill), nephew Robert Helm and 5 great nieces and nephews. Predeceased by sister Elizabeth Finlayson
Visitation will be held from the MacKenzie & McCreath Funeral Home, Lucknow on Wednesday December 3, 2025 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A funeral service from the chapel will be conducted on Thursday December 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM. Spring interment Greenhill Cemetery, Lucknow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Huron Hospice or the Wingham Hospital Foundation are greatly appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
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My condolences I remember Mary from our school days. Always had a smile and kind word.
Message from Deb Atkinson 2025-12-04 17:49:50
Bill, Jonathan, Sarah and families... So sorry about Mary's passing. She was wonderful, creative and kind. Told it, as she saw it. Often with a sparkle in her eye and a big laugh. I loved that about her. She will be missed. Thinking of you all.
Message from Greg and Heather Penny2025-12-04 14:40:02
Deepest condolences to Bill and family. We met Bill and Mary thru the car club. Greg and I enjoyed our conversations with Mary, she was a very interesting, honest person. We will miss that friendship, we will remember Mary fondly. Greg and Heather
Message from Doug and Nolda Scott2025-12-04 08:01:20
Bill and family, sincere sympathy on the loss of your dear wife and mother Mary. She was a special lady always doing something for someone and making use of every little scrap of fabric. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Was sad to hear of Mary passing . Remember Mary a long time since I was a kid playing at Sauble Beach . At the cottage , Mary was always chatty , kind hearted and a caring neighbour with a good sense of humour ! She’ll be sadly missed ! Our sincere condolences to all the family .
Message from Ruth Alton2025-12-03 16:52:14
My condolences to the family.
Message from Bev Shaddick2025-12-03 15:14:37
Bill and family; My sincere condolences to you as you mourn the loss of Mary. May your many happy memories help to comfort you at this time. Thinking of you.
Message from Ian and Nancy Nelson2025-12-03 11:30:16
Blessings to the entire family. Mary was such a wonderful friend and lady.........so generous with her time and talents. She will be sorely missed.
Ian and Nancy Nelson
Luvybear Quilts For Tots
Message from Sandy and Linda Finlayson2025-12-03 10:20:20
Dear Bill and family.
Linda and I were very sorry to hear of Mary's deah last week and have been praying that the Lord will comfort you in your losss.
Sandy and Linda Finlayson
Oreland, PA
Message from Brad & Sharon Petteplace2025-12-02 23:32:05
Our hearts & thoughts are with all of Mary’s family.
Bill, Jon, Sarah and families, we were so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Enjoyed reuniting with Mary during the first 10 years of Music in the Fields in the Hospitality Tent. She was a tireless worker. Another one gone from the hill where we grew up. Please accept our condolences.
Bill and family - Mary was one in a million, always lending a hand, offering her fabulous creations, down to earth practical lady and we were glad to have known her. I remember when we first met, she offered several of her wonderful stuffed animals, along with a book, for the annual Christmas firefighters toy drive. We are so sorry for your loss Bill, too soon for sure, but in no pain now, may she rest in peace. She will be missed by many, but the memories we have will be with all of us forever. Sincerely Lloyd & Jo -Ann Sheridan
Bill, Jonathan, Sarah and Families, we send our sympathy to Mary's family on her passing. We have many fond memories of Mary and the Finlayson family. Treasure the time you shared with her.
My condolences to the Nelson family in the passing of Mary. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mary for about 10 years through Cape Coral Quilters Guild. She was quite the quilter and knitter make baby quilts and knitting coordinated stuffed animals for the first baby boy and girl born in the new year at our local hospital. I am honored to call her a friend and a sewing sister. She will be sorely missed.
Message from Wendy Toney2025-12-02 14:43:58
Feeling very sad for you Bill, Jonathan and Sara and your families. I will miss my friend Mary but have over 70 years of memories to keep. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love and hugs Wendy
Message from Anne Harrison 2025-12-02 12:59:59
Bill & Family.
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. My deepest sympathies. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy and I wish to send our condolences to you, Bill, and your family. Mary was a superb person to know. I do not think that we can make the funeral as I am a bit too old for winter driving. I was fortunate to visit her in Wingham in the fall for an hour. You can be rest assured that Mary is looking down at us Sauble mortals from heaven along with Sadie, Buster, and Stella. They were the best of the best.
Was sad to hear of Mary passing . Remember Mary a long time since I was a kid playing at Sauble Beach . At the cottage , Mary was always chatty , kind hearted and a caring neighbour with a good sense of humour ! She’ll be sadly missed ! Our sincere condolences to all the family .
Bill and Family.
We would like offer our condolences on the passing of Mary. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.
Doug & Brenda Tiffin
To Bill and family: Paul and I want you to know how sad we are to lose such a beautiful friend and send our deepest sympathy. Mary was an important part of our Florida Quilters Guild and deeply respected for her talents and generosity Our Canadian connection brought us close so that we enjoyed each other socially. I am so glad that Mary has been a part of my life I will miss our times and conversations .
Message from Ruth Alton2025-12-01 16:30:49
My condolences to the family.
Message from Nancy Wardell2025-12-01 15:46:30
Sincere condolences to Bill and family. When I think of Mary I think of such words as kind, talented, generous, capable, loyal, thoughtful, fun, patient. She was a loving wife and mother and so proud of her family. She was our neighbour for decades at Sauble which made us pretty lucky. She will be missed a lot next summer by us and for summers after. R.I.P. dear Mary
Bill, Jonathan, Sara and families, Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Our prayers go out to you . Mary was a beautiful soul and will be missed dearly. Cherish the memories . Hugs to you all.
My sympathy to Bill and family on Mary's passing. Treasure the memories.
Message from Mark Becker2025-12-01 13:34:02
My sincere condolences to Bill and the family.
Message from Barbara Cameron2025-12-01 12:58:34
My sincere condolences to Bill, Jonathan and Sarah and their families. Mary and I went all through public and high school together so shared many memories from that time. In recent years, we got together with other school friends annually and shared a wonderful time and catch up with everyone's news. Mary dealt with her illness with great courage and I will miss her.
Was sad to hear of Mary passing . Remember Mary a long time since I was a kid playing at Sauble Beach . At the cottage , Mary was always chatty , kind hearted and a caring neighbour with a good sense of humour ! She’ll be sadly missed ! Our sincere condolences to all the family .
So sorry for your loss. There's only two good things that comes from death. First and foremost, The dearly departed is with Jesus. And secondly, they are no longer suffering. May the upcoming days be filled with memories of all her wonderful attributes, of which there are so many. Again so sorry for your loss Bill and family.
We are so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She will be fondly remembered for her days in Lucknow Bank of Montreal, her beautiful crafts and of course her warm, constant smile. May peace be with you knowing she suffers no more.
Blessings,
My sympathies to Bill, Jonathan and Sarah, their spouses and Mary and Bill‘s grandchildren whom she loved so dearly. Mary was more than a cousin, and I will miss her. I look forward to seeing her in our Heavenly home. God bless everyone who loved Mary!
Mary was a long-time and treasured member of the Goderich Quilters Guild ad her knitted animals were the high spot for children at our annual Show and Sale. She was always willing to share her knowledge and skills and I, for one, will sorely miss her friendship.
Monica
Bill and family,
Oh my, another schoolmate gone. We send you all our sympathies. Keep close to each other as you recall treasured memories.
Message from Betty mcdonagh2025-11-30 16:25:19
I’m so saddened by this news. Mary was such a good person there is no words to express my feelings, and to the family, all my love and condolences ..Hugs to all .our best baby sitter ever
Message from Donna Linde2025-11-30 15:01:59
sorry for your loss
Message from Lorene and Doug Casemore2025-11-30 13:41:31
We are so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She was an awesome lady. Hold tight to the memories and each other.