Margaret Ann Nelson

Ann’s loyalty to a head-to-toe wardrobe of cobalt blue was only rivaled by her devotion to family. Family, to her, was an inclusive word intended for everyone she encountered. It was not uncommon to find Ann holding a stranger’s hand, baking a from-scratch pie for a repairman, cooking for her beloved shih tzus or pruning someone’s flowerbed while on a stroll. The exuberance of Ann’s greenhouse and kitchen matched the profound conviviality of her spirit.

A lifelong Tulsan, the life of Margaret Ann Nelson began on September 26, 1931. She was born to Robert Earl and Margaret Jordan Kirberger. Father Earl worked for Service Drilling Co. while mother Margaret became the founder of Tulsa’s iconic Margo’s Gift Shop, which opened in the Philcade Building in 1935, thanks in part to a loan from Waite Phillips and W.G. Skelly.

Ann was the fourth and last child, and the only daughter. She made lifelong friendships while attending Will Rogers High School and was crowned Homecoming Queen her senior year, graduating in 1949. Until the end of her life, Ann attended monthly luncheons with Rogers’ “49ers” and cherished attending her 65th class reunion last month.

Ann pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma while studying at University of Colorado Boulder before falling in love with Frederick “Fred” Sanford Nelson and marrying on August 4, 1951. By 1956, the pair had welcomed four children. A Tulsa District Judge, Fred served as a partner at the law firm, Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden & Nelson, P.C., a Tulsa institution to this day.

For decades, Ann worked alongside her mother at the family gift shop. Margo’s moved to Utica Square in 1964 at the request of Walt Helmerich. Today, Margo’s is Utica Square’s second longest running business. Ann assumed full ownership of the shop in 1982, before turning the keys over to her daughter Margo in 2009.

An ever-devoted wife, Ann remained bedside in the months following the 1970 attempted assassination of her husband by way of a car bombing in the family driveway. With his fortunate survival and eventual recovery, they were blessed with 17 more loving years together. Especially treasured were times spent sailing through the Caribbean aboard “Sandcastle” and on Grand Lake aboard “Amazing Grace”. Fred passed away unexpectedly in 1987.

A hope-filled fighter into her final days, she endured an almost four-year battle with melanoma before her passing. She lived those years cherishing time with her beloved great-grandchildren. Ann passed away on Tuesday while vacationing in Seaside, Florida. Her last moments were spent just feet from the sea and sands that she loved. She was surrounded by all four of her children, their spouses and offspring. The singing of lullabies, joined hands in prayer, and tearful remembering marked the family’s final moments with their “Mimi”. Gracing her hand until the end was the wedding ring she gave her soul mate on their wedding day. The inscription: “One Life One Love”.

Ann was predeceased by her parents and husband, as well as her sister-in-law Jody Kirberger, brothers-in-law Erik Nelson and Bill Brownfield, nephew Billy Kirberger, and niece Elizabeth Harrington. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her brothers, Bob and Phyllis, Bill, and Don and Cleveanne Kirberger. Her siblings-in-law Kathryn Brownfield, Ivo and Dolores Nelson. Her children Margo Nelson, Rick and Janet Nelson, Judy and Doug Coman, and Jill and Bob Thomas. Her grandchildren Roy and Andra Nelson, Erik and Cassidy Nelson, Judd and Jenni Jennerjahn, and Allie and Olivia Thomas. Her great-grandchildren Walker, Jackson, Lukas, Logan, and Lily Nelson. And many loved nieces and nephews, great and grand.

Though Ann was not personally afflicted, she was impacted by Alzheimer’s disease; in lieu of flowers, please send donations benefiting research to the Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter or the American Cancer Society.

Services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30, 2014 at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church where Ann was a longtime member.