Mary was born July 2, 1939 in Boulder, CO into a military family. Her father was an attorney in the Army during WWII. Because of this, Mary lived in several locations including Helena, MT, Reno, NV, Terre Haute, IN and Austria. The family finally settled in St. Petersburg, FL and this is where she spent most of her school years. After attending and graduating from Boca Ciega High School she graduated from St. Pete Junior College and then attended Florida State University where she met her future husband, Richard Don Nelson. They were married for 51 years and had 2 children, Shawn Nelson and Darby Nelson. She also had two wonderful grandchildren named Conner Nelson and Zane Sampey. They were the love of her life. Mary was a homemaker; however she worked at Hickory Farms for a short time and then Elebash Jewelry for over 10 years. She loved people and was a great conversationalist. She made everyone feel special, laugh and was an extremely giving person. Along with being a member of the Junior Woman's Club, she loved to get together with all of her Bunco Club friends and the "Tuesday Night Group". She also loved animals and rescued many. Her current pets are Pumpkin, Zippy and Calle. She adored them. She would do about anything for her animals and often times reminded us about that. She was an advocate for no-kill shelters and supported the Pensacola Humane Society. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Joyce Ratcliffe and her brother, Gary Ratcliffe. She is survived by her husband, Don Nelson; two children, Shawn Nelson and Darby Nelson; one daughter-in-law, Nazanin Nelson; 2 grandchildren, Conner Nelson and Zane Sampey; Darby's life partner, Will Sampey; sister, Janine Ratcliffe; sister-in law, Sylvia Ammons and Don's 92 yr. old aunt, Elizabeth Harvey. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 from 5-7pm at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 3:30pm at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Bayview Memorial Park. Active Pallbearers will be Shawn Nelson, Conner Nelson, Will Sampey, Jay Ammons, Gerald Roberts and Jim Harper. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pensacola Humane Society, 5 N. "Q" St., Pensacola, FL 32505. Special thanks to Dr. Inclan, the 2nd floor nurses and the PCU staff of Sacred Heart Hospital.