Gayle Ann (Wordsworth) Nelson passed away peacefully at her home in Ontario, Oregon on November 26th at 10:36am. After battling a long illness, she left this world surrounded by her loving husband of 54 years, Norm Nelson, her daughter Chrysti, son-in-law James, three granddaughters, and her sister Beth.
Born in Seattle, Washington on October 28th, 1949, Gayle was the middle child and the only daughter of Earl and Chrystell (Seals) Wordsworth. The family spent a few years in Spokane before moving back to Seattle in July 1960. Gayle attended Queen Anne Junior High and graduated from Queen Anne High School in June 1968. That fall, she started her studies at Northwest Nazarene University to pursue a degree in elementary education but left college during her junior year to marry Norm Nelson from Ontario, Oregon on September 24, 1971.
Gayle and Norm welcomed three children into their lives: Bob, Chrysti, and Dan. When Dan was in junior high school, Gayle returned to Eastern Oregon University to finish her education degree which she received in May 1989. Over the years she taught elementary school at Alameda Elementary School as well as May Roberts in Ontario and Nyssa Elementary School in Nyssa, Oregon.
Norm and Gayle spent their entire married life in Ontario except for three years when they worked with MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) in Indonesia where Gayle taught children of missionary pilots’ families.
For over fifty years, Gayle and Norm were active members of the Ontario Church of the Nazarene. During that time she took on various roles such as Sunday School teacher, choir member, wedding coordinator, Caravan director while also helping with VBS camps and other church activities. She had a special love for babies and was always eager to hold the newest little ones. One of her many talents included making baby blankets and clothes. She crafted wedding dresses along with shirts and jackets for her children as well as countless dresses for both her daughter and granddaughters. A skilled seamstress known for creating professional quality quilts; Gayle was also an excellent cook with a creative flair. Her sense of humor brought joy to those around her-stories about pranks played on college friends or church retreat attendees are still shared today. She enjoyed attending church events with family and friends alike while embracing life fully. Above all else though was the sparkle she had for her husband Norm and for her faith; she was a devoted woman who will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her father Earl Wordsworth; brothers Ralph Wordsworth and Ted Wordsworth; as well as mother Chrystell (Wordsworth, Fisher) Cherrington. Surviving are her husband Norm Nelson from Ontario, Oregon; son Bob Nelson residing in Wasilla Alaska; daughter Chrysti Duckworth along with son-in-law James Duckworth living in Watford City North Dakota; son Dan Nelson based out Fairbanks Alaska; sisters Linda Thomas from Willmar Minnesota; Beth Mc Carty located nearby Ontario, Oregon plus eight grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life honoring Gayle Nelson will take place on February 6th ,2026 at one o’clock PM at the Ontario Church Of The Nazarene located at1311 Alameda Drive , Ontario , OR. Donations can be made towards MAF organization through mail sent directly to112 N. Pilatus Lane , Nampa ID ,83687 or online via MAF. org or by phone call placed to(208)498-0800.
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