Marleen Donelson Nelson, 83, formerly of 4934 Bayview Road, Bemus Point, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 29, 2025, at Heritage Park Skilled Nursing Home.

She was born August 30, 1941, in Jamestown, to the late Bernette and Mary Davis Donelson.

Marleen was a 1958 graduate of Frewsburg Central School. She went on to WCA Hospital School of Nursing to become a registered nurse. She worked at Buffalo Children's Hospital and Jamestown General.

A lifelong Chautauqua County resident and a longtime member of Zion Covenant Church in Jamestown. She had a heart to serve and help others. She volunteered on numerous boards, committees and events. Marleen triumphed motherhood as a La Leche League leader. In partnership with hundreds of other families seeking healthier homes, she grew a successful Shaklee Products business along with her husband, which will continue as an important part of her legacy. For over ten summers, Marleen volunteered as the camp nurse at Camp Mission Meadows in Dewittville, where she touched the lives of several campers and staff.

Marleen will be deeply missed by her husband Gordon Nelson of Bemus Point, whom she married September 29, 1962; five daughters Kirsten (Jay) Cheney of North Bend, WA, Sara (James) Foley of Waukegan, IL, Jessica Nelson of Gurnee, IL, Erica (Shane) Daniels and Annika (Lukas) McKnight both of Libertyville, IL; seven grandchildren John and Asa Cheney, Kyle (Jessica) Foley and Rebekah Foley (Josh Poterack), Zachary Daniels and Aksel and Finley McKnight; a great granddaughter Charlotte Foley and a brother Conrad (Jennifer) Donelson of Erie.

The family expresses deep appreciation to the caring staff and residents at Heritage Park.

A memorial service will be held at 12 Noon, Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Zion Covenant Church. Friends will be received in the church from 11 am to Noon Saturday prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Camp Mission Meadows, 5201 East Lake Road, Dewittville, NY 14728.