Margaret (Webb) Nelson

PEABODY- Margaret Webb Nelson, 88, of Peabody, beloved wife of the late Graham J. Nelson, died Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Beverly Hospital.  She was a resident of the towns of Boxford and Topsfield for over 40 years prior to moving to Brooksby Village in Peabody, where she has since resided.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of the late H. Chester Webb and Camille Whitman. She was raised and educated in Birmingham, Alabama. She attended Vanderbilt University and Florida State University, earning her Bachelor’s degree. She later received a Master’s degree from Salem State College.

Margaret was an English professor at Salem State College for many years. She also taught at Northeastern University. As an educator, she had an innate ability to connect with her students and took great pride in her ability to foster achievement from all of her students.

Margaret was a writer and accomplished photographer, loved art and explored a wide range of artistic expression; later in life, she often enjoyed sketch booking.  She was a member of the Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute at Salem State University. She always loved intellectual conversations, never hesitating to join a discussion about any current topic or philosophical idea. 

As a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, family was important to her.  She was very generous with her time and resources, and supported education, trips, and endeavors of family members throughout her life.

Margaret is survived by her son Michael Nelson and his wife Valerie of Vallejo, CA, her son Dave Nelson and his wife Beth Champ of Atlanta, GA, her stepdaughters Blair Nelson of Rye Beach, NH, Bethany Nelson and her husband Hessel Flach of Byfield, and Lesley Tolman of Byfield, her daughter-in-law Penny Nelson, grandchildren Benjamin Holson, Sarah, Katie, Emmy, Graham, and David Nelson, Adam and Jack Clay, Lucas and Tea Flach, Madeleine Tolman, and Lucy Konisky, and her great-grandchildren Sophia and Charlie Holson and Margaret Alexander. She was predeceased by her husband, Graham J. Nelson, and her son, Steven Nardin Nelson.

ARRANGEMENTS: There is no funeral service currently scheduled due to the coronavirus; the family will consider a memorial service at a later date. The Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (Rte 62) Danvers has handled all of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the CDC Foundation Emergency Response Fund at CDC Foundation, 600 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30308. Sharing written remembrances and condolences, during this time will be essential in helping Margaret’s family reminisce, celebrate and heal. We encourage you to share your memories by visiting her eternal tribute at www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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