Margaret "Mickie" Nelson

Worcester – Margaret F. Nelson, 92, died unexpectedly, but peacefully, in her Briarwood home on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Mickie was born in DeWitt, Michigan, the daughter of Clarence H. Fuerstenau, the DeWitt school superintendent, and Beatrice Bisbing Fuerstenau, a piano teacher. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in elementary education, and, in 1954, married the love of her life, Donald F. Nelson, a physicist. 

Mickie will be best remembered for her deep involvement in the communities where she lived and for the joyful way she greeted all whom she met. One fellow volunteer appreciated her ability at board meetings to “listen to all perspectives and quietly command attention with well-thought-out views of the issues.” 

In 1960, Mickie, Don and their two young daughters moved to Summit, New Jersey, where they spent 27 years. Mickie became one of the founders and a teacher at the Neighborhood Council Preschool for underserved children. 

She was a dedicated volunteer for the Junior League, Meals on Wheels, her church and many other organizations. Mickie also proved to be an astute businesswoman when she stepped in to manage the Junior League’s consignment shop after they lost their director. 

In 1987, they moved to Worcester when Don left Bell Laboratories to teach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Mickie dove into volunteering in her new community, enjoying the Worcester Garden Club, Preservation Worcester, Girls, Inc., Hall Club and several other local organizations. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, both volunteering and chairing committees. Mickie played tennis, paddle tennis, and bridge, and greatly appreciated all forms of classical music. Most importantly Mickie loved the annual visits of her five grandsons to their Martha’s Vineyard home. Mickie loved to travel, and she and Don visited Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East. She especially enjoyed their time living in England. In 2017, Mickie and Don moved to a cottage in Worcester’s Briarwood Retirement Community where they were warmly embraced. Mickie was touched by the support she received from the Community when Don died in 2019. 

Mickie is survived by her daughters Lisa (Peter Komarek), Julie Nelson–Gal (Dave), her five grandsons, Max, Tobey, and Jackson Nelson–Gal, and Brady and Nelson Komarek, her brother William J. Fuerstenau of Jackson, Michigan, nieces and nephews, many dear friends, and her special friend at Briarwood, Warren Hawkins. Mickie often said how impressed she was with the professional and caring staff at Briarwood and we thank them on her and our behalf. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Briarwood, 65 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, on Saturday, January 27th at 1 PM, followed by a visitation hour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mickie to the Briarwood Residents Assistance Fund, First Baptist Church or the other local organizations where she dedicated much of her time.