Dorothy Lynne Nelson

Dorothy Lynne Hayes Nelson, 79, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on June 30, 2025. Dorothy was the second of five children, born October 28, 1945, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Clarence E Hayes and Norma Horsley. She was raised in nearby Peoria. She loved and honored her parents, who ran a dairy farm, and she learned many life lessons from working on the farm and in her home with her mother.

Dorothy was always outgoing and self-confident. She joined every club she could in high school, took part in several plays, was a member of student council, and served as yearbook editor her senior year. She was also very active in church youth activities and loved being involved in church road shows each year.

After high school, Dorothy attended the University of Arizona, where she met Delbert Nelson. They were married on March 27, 1964, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. When Delbert finished his schooling in Tucson, they moved to Tempe, Arizona, where Dorothy earned her teaching degree and Delbert went to law school. She graduated from ASU in July of 1968 and began teaching 6th grade at Adams Elementary School in Mesa that fall. 

Dorothy went on to teach for 50 years, influencing thousands of students during her career. She was beloved by her students and her colleagues, both for her ability to teach effectively and her gift of bringing humor and lightheartedness to her classroom—and any situation!

Dorothy was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many callings during her life. She especially loved being a member of the Relief Society, and found great joy in her friendships there. She was also a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and served as a leader in the local chapter for the last several years.

Dorothy and Delbert raised three children while serving faithfully in the Church and taking on active roles in the Mesa community. She was a present and involved mother who encouraged her children to work hard and pursue worthy things.

Dorothy was a jovial person, known for her great sense of humor and for always having a joke to share. She never met a stranger, as she would visit with anyone she encountered. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Delbert, and her older sister Kathleen. She is survived by her sisters Anne Palmer (Bob) and Becky Hayes, and her brother John Hayes (Jacque); as well as her children Jennifer Ferrin (Rob), Paul, and Alicia King (David). She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren (with a 6th on the way!), whom she lovingly referred to as her “grand-darlings” and “great-grand-darlings.”

Visitations will be held Monday, July 14, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, July 15, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kimball East Stake Center, 4640 E. Holmes, Mesa, AZ 85206.

Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, July 15 at 11:00 a.m. at the Kimball East Stake Center, 4640 E. Holmes, Mesa, AZ 85206.

Graveside Service to follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201

                          💜 All are invited to join us in wearing purple in her honor 💜

If you would like to send flowers, please use the link for Razzle Dazzle Flowers  https://www.razzledazzleflowers.com/

The funeral service will also be live-streamed at 

https://zoom.us/j/99229488894