1927-2006
From the LA Times:

Audrey I. Nelson

Audrey I. Nelson was born July 22, 1927 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and left us on April 9, 2006. She was a resident of Glendale for 47 years. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, two children and two grandchildren. She leaves a legacy of love that is never-ending. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 14, 2006, 1:30 p.m., Wee Kirk o' the Heather, Forest Lawn Glendale.

Published in the Los Angeles Times on 4/12/2006.

This was my mother-in-law. For the close to 17 years I knew her I can safely state she was the only member of the family who never pissed me off. Given all our cultural stereotypes concerning mother- and son-in-laws it is almost scary how much we got along. And how much her death truly sucks.

I remember back to October of 1991. We were all gathered for Melody's and my first anniversary party at our old condo. The Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings were on. My Mom and Aunt Pat (Dad's sister) were arguing over who was telling the truth. Poor Audrey was in the middle. She was bravely handling the situation with her characteristic grace and dignity, not letting in on how deeply disappointed she was the baseball playoffs were being preempted for the spectacle.

When Jack first came home from the hospital he had a slight touch of jaundice, which was treated by a night under the lights of this quasi-incubator/tanning booth the HMO provided us. He had to lie under it all night long with patches stuck to his eyes. Which he wouldn't allow to be kept on for more than a few seconds at a stretch. Melody was too trashed, I had court first thing in the morning, everyone else was working. Audrey stayed up all night keeping Jack's hands away from those patches so his eyes would be protected.

Audrey also distinguished herself with all the Norwegian goodies she made (except of course lutefisk), stuff I never heard of until I married into her family. AND not only was the fruitcake she made edible, it was actually quite good. She really went heavy on the nuts, especially the Brazil ones.

I envision Audrey in the afterlife with my maternal grandmother Araxie collaborating on a lefsa-based souborag.