Carol Virginia Olby Nelson, 81, of Tillamook, died Nov. 2, 2011. She was born in Mellen, Wisc., and then moved to Gresham with her parents, the late Helen and Hugo Olby in 1930. Carol graduated from Gresham High School in 1948.  She married Robert Richard Nelson that same year. They lived together in the Portland area before relocating to Tillamook in 1955.

Carol worked at Tillamook High School as an office secretary until her retirement in 1988. She was passionate about making a difference in the lives of students. She was well known and loved by the students for her willingness to listen and her fairness.

Carol was an active member of the Tillamook Womens Bowling League, a golfer for many years, an avid ping pong player and an aggressive card player. After raising her three children, Carol loved to travel to Maui where she and her husband resided in Kihei.  They spent over twenty winter years there enjoying the Maui sunshine, community and lifestyle. Carol had many friends. She made friends easily.

Carol is survived by three children: James Nelson of Tillamook, Linda Nelson Gassaway of Ventura, Calif., and Melissa Nelson Riverman of Bend. She also is survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with twin great grandchildren on the way!

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to a cause of your choice.

No service is scheduled, as family and friends will gather for a private celebration of Carols life. She will be missed by all.

Cremation arrangements are in care of Wauds Funeral Home in Tillamook.