Shirley Ann (French) Nelsen passed away on Aug. 24, 2025, at the age of 104. She was the daughter of Leslie and Ida French of Centralia.
Born in Rochester, Washington, she grew up in various cities, living most of her life in Chehalis, Washington. Shirley was a woman before her time. Her sense of adventure was evident through her interests. She traveled extensively throughout her life. At the age of 19, she journeyed by train to work in Washington, D.C., during the war. She was proud to say that she visited all 50 states and many foreign countries, her favorite being Australia. Her travels even inspired her to study Spanish later in life.
In addition to being part of various clubs and organizations, she operated a small business, selling and consulting through Viviane Woodard Cosmetics.
Shirley was always creating. She often made multiples to give to her daughters or grandchildren at birthdays and Christmas. Most recently, she began knitting bears and donating them in memory of her friend’s grandson who passed away. Her goal was to knit 100 bears. All told, she knitted well over 200 bears.
In addition to knitting, she was skilled at various handcrafts such as sewing, crocheting, needlework and quilting. Each occasion of family life was greeted with a whimsical poem created by her. Shirley even began painting prolifically in her 70s. When asked, she was quick to say this was the hobby with which she was most pleased.
In 1959, she married Jim Nelsen, a widower who had two daughters. Together they raised Lynn (McCord) and Peggy (Brooks) and began to watch their family grow.
Shirley is survived by her daughters; her grandchildren, Jeff McCord (JiYeon), Colin McCord (Wanda), Karen McCord, Meredith Brooks (Sean), Kelley Hubbard (Jeremy), and Kathleen Brooks (Jeff); and her great-grandchildren, DaBin McCord, DaHae McCord, Patrick Hubbard, Amelia Hubbard, Henrik Beaty and June Beaty; and her nephew, Duane Middlebusher of California, and nieces DeEtta Mills of Florida, Mary Anderson and Kay McLaughlin, as well as numerous other family members.
Shirley was a dedicated friend and pen pal who kept up correspondence until recent years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her mother and father; and her sister, Betty Middlebusher.
Although she did not reach her goal of exceeding her mother’s longevity of 105 years, Shirley left behind a legacy of hard work, ingenuity, curiosity, creativity and love.
Services for Shirley will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Chehalis, Washington, on Saturday, Sept. 13, at noon.
