Mary Ann Nelson

Mary Ann (Murphy) Nelson of Lone Tree, Colorado, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026, at the age of 96.

She was born on April 13, 1930, in Racine, Wisconsin, to James and Florence (Worsley) Murphy, both of whom predeceased her.

Mary Ann was also predeceased by her treasured husband of 62 years, H. Wayne Nelson; her beloved brothers, James Murphy and Thomas Murphy; and her cherished sister, Geraldine (Murphy) Hancock.

She is survived by her children, Robert (Diane) Nelson and Raleigh (George) Baughman; her six grandchildren, Kiana (Chris) Kinaschuk, Janessa (Michael) Steele, Mathias Nelson, Savanah Nelson, Isadora Baughman, and Fiona Baughman; and her great-grandson, John Kinaschuk.

Mary Ann and the rest of the Murphy family grew up in Oklahoma and enjoyed every minute of their lives there. As they used to say, there was always room for another pair of feet under the dinner table, and there was bound to be a party after dinner at the Murphy house.

Mary Ann was always proud to be from Oklahoma and, like all Oklahomans, would break into the song “Oklahoma!” from the musical at the slightest opportunity. She graduated from John Carroll High School in 1948. She then attended Oklahoma City College, now Oklahoma City University, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1952 while also working full time at Central States Bank. Mary Ann had a competitive streak—just ask anyone with whom she played bridge with.

Wayne was working at Tinker Air Force Base in 1955 when he was invited to a party at the Murphy house. There, he met the love of his life, Mary Ann, whom he called “Maria.” They were married on September 6, 1957, and Wayne was immediately transferred to Dayton, Ohio, to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

After the birth of their son, Robert, in September 1958, they were transferred again, this time to Southern California. They lived in Pacific Palisades, where their daughter, Raleigh, was born in April 1962. Soon afterward, Wayne was again transferred, this time to work at the Pentagon, and the family moved to Alexandria, Virginia.

In the fall of 1963, Wayne took a job with Burroughs Corporation, and they moved to the Bloomfield Hills suburb of Detroit, Michigan. There, they stayed for 26 years and raised their family on Van Ness Drive. Mary Ann and Wayne developed a wonderful circle of friends on Van Ness whom they cherished for the rest of their lives.

Mary Ann was very active during these years. She was involved in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Women’s Auxiliary, eventually serving as chairperson in the late 1970s. After both children left for college, Mary Ann returned to work as a bookkeeper at Greenstone’s Jewelry Store in Birmingham, Michigan, where she worked for 10 years.

In 1989, Mary Ann and Wayne retired and pursued their dream of moving to the Southwest. They began the next chapter of their lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the home they had built, Casa de Maria. They spent 24 wonderful years there. In 2014, when Wayne’s health began to decline, they moved to Lone Tree to be near family.

A Funeral Mass for Mary Ann will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Pax Christi Catholic Church, 10675 Jaguar Drive, Lone Tree, CO 80124, with a reception to follow.

Mary Ann will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 NW Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73118. A graveside interment service will be held there on October 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

All are welcome to join either or both ceremonies.