Annie Mae Nielsen's Obituary
Anna Mae Nielsen
Born on January 21, 1917, Annie Mae received here early education in a one-room schoolhouse near the family farm in Princess Ann, Virginia. She graduated from high school in Norfolk, Virginia.
Married to Kenneth D. Nielsen on December 17, 1969 in Anchorage, Alaska, Annie began the life of a military wife. The couple lived in Alaska, North Carolina and North Dakota before he retired near his family in the Pacific Northwest.
She has lived I the St. Helens area since 1969. Her lifelong focus was on homemaking and volunteer work, marred by a few early side trips into the work force.
Her simple faith of God sustained her through a lifetime of challenges, and ultimately a lengthy illness, during which she manage a smile on most days.
An active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Annie held various offices in the local chapter during her many years of participation. She was also active in volunteer work throughout the RSVP program, including significant time at the St. Helens Chamber of Commerce.
Nominated to the My Fair Lady court in 2000 to represent St. Helens, she was crowned queen and reigned for a year, making appearances in parades and events.
She received recognition for a long-ago act of heroism when her story was published in the book "A Cup of Comfort for Courage." The piece, "Of Silk and Steel" recounts here rescue of a baby and toddler from a burning house in the 1940s in Alaska, while their mother stood in the front yard screaming "my babies, my babies!" A story chronicling her battle with breast cancer will appear in another volume by the same publisher, coming out later this year.
Annie is survived by her daughter Christy Caballero, son-in-law Herb Caballero of Rainier, brother Cecil Whitehurst of Anchorage, Alaska, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, and nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Services will be held on Thursday in St. Helens, Oregon at 2:oo p.m. at Columbia Funeral Home at 681 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, Oregon. There will also be a viewing Wednesday June 11, 2008.
Because Annie was a lifetime pet lover and animal advocate, memorial contributions are encouraged to go to the animal rescue hospital, or humane society of your choice. Donations are also encouraged to Legacy Hospice.
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