Gayle Ann (Wordsworth) Nelson passed away peacefully at her home in Ontario, Oregon on November 26th at 10:36 am. After battling an illness for a while, she left this world surrounded by her loving husband of 54 years, Norm Nelson, along with their 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 some time living in Spokane before moving back to Seattle in July 1960. Gayle attended what was then Queen Anne Junior High and graduated from Queen Anne High School in June 1968. In the fall that year, she started studying elementary education at Northwest Nazarene (College) University but left after her junior year to marry Norm Nelson from Ontario, Oregon on September 24, 1971.
Together they had three children: Bob, Chrysti and Dan. When Dan entered junior high school, Gayle decided to go back to college at Eastern Oregon University where she earned her teaching degree in May 1989. Over the years she taught elementary grades at Alameda and May Roberts in Ontario as well as Nyssa Elementary 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. While there, Gayle taught the children of missionary pilots’ families.
The couple has been active members of the Ontario Church of the Nazarene for over fifty years. During that time, she took on various roles such as Sunday School teacher, choir member, wedding coordinator, Caravan director and helped out with VBS camps along with many other church activities. Gayle had a special love for babies and always sought out the newest little ones to hold close. She had many skills including making baby blankets and clothes. She crafted wedding dresses as well as shirts and jackets for her kids and countless dresses for both her daughter and granddaughters. A talented seamstress, she created professional-quality quilts too. Known for being a great cook with a creative flair as well as having a fantastic sense of humor; stories about her playful pranks are still shared by college friends who fell victim to them during church retreats. She enjoyed participating in church events alongside family and friends while embracing every moment of life. Most importantly though was the sparkle in her eye whenever she was around her beloved husband Norm or reflecting on her faith in God as a devoted woman who loved prayer deeply; she’ll be missed dearly by everyone who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her father Earl Wordsworth; brothers Ralph Wordsworth and Ted Wordsworth; along with mother Chrystell (Wordsworth, Fisher) Cherrington. Left behind are her husband Norm Nelson from Ontario, Oregon; son Bob Nelson residing in Wasilla Alaska; daughter Chrysti Duckworth married to James Duckworth living now Watford City North Dakota; plus son Dan Nelson based out Fairbanks Alaska. As a ten-year-old girl, two orphaned cousins moved into their household adding more love into an already bustling home. She leaves behind sisters Linda Thomas from Willmar Minnesota; Beth Mc Carty from Ontario, Oregon, and eight grandchildren too.
A Celebration of Life service honoring Gayle will take place on February 6th ,2026 , at one o’clock PM , held at the Ontario Church Of The Nazarene located at1311 Alameda Drive , Ontario , OR. Donations made towards MAF can be sent via mail address :112 N. Pilatus Lane, Nampa ID83687 online through MAF. org or call(208)498-0800.
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