Mary Nelson

Mary Nelson, nee McCready, age 79, died December 9th, 2024. She was born June 12, 1945 in Lebanon Oregon where she was adopted by Meryl and Clara Elizabeth (Wisely) McCready. Mary was raised in California living in Booneville, Santa Rosa, and Needles where she was an active member of Job’s Daughters. She and her family moved to Twin Falls, ID where she graduated high school in 1963.

In 1964, Mary started at College of Idaho where her life would be changed due to a field trip to the Idaho State School and Hospital. This caused her to use her teaching degree to become a Special Education teacher. Mary began her assistant teaching at Merri-Lynn School, a local private school for disabled children, and founded by the children’s parents. This school later became funded by the State of Idaho under the Exceptional Child Center, until it was integrated into the Caldwell School District. Mary stayed with the school’s changes and assisted the student’s families with babysitting, organizing sleepovers, and building a supportive community, which included the founding of the Caldwell Eagles Special Olympic Team and organizing trips to Disneyland, Seattle, WA, Canada, and many camping trips with chaperones from the TORCH group.

Mary Nelson taught Special Education for the Caldwell School District for 37 years, first at Van Buren Elementary and Jefferson Junior High School. She married Don Nelson in 1966, together the couple brought 50 foster children into their home, several of which still call her mom. Upon her retirement she continued to help her ‘kids’ by being a Social Security Representative Payee for several of them. From the 1970’s until her death Mary worked to rescue and rehome animals including 600 dogs, 200 cats, 6 lovebirds and various other animals all at her own expense.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Meryl and Clara Beth McCready, several of her beloved students, daughter of the heart, Beth Ann Williams, and life time friend Joseph Roundy. She is survived by her ex-husband, Don Nelson; sons Jay Ingram, Willie Spivey, Richard McGinley; Daughter Pam Milburn; Grandchildren Heather, Nicholas, and Brandon Ingram, Mary Spears, and Donna Syme. She is also survived by many members of TORCH group, life long friends, and colleagues all of whom Mary held dear. She will be remembered for her many good works on behalf of the Special Needs community and her work with animal rescue.

The family would like to thank the ER and ICU staff at West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell for all of the care they gave Mary in her final day. In lieu of flowers, please donate to animal rescues or other charitable organizations. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.