Mary Carolyn Nielsen

She was the only daughter to Minnie Marie Britt and Oscar Amparan. While growing up, with her mother and stepfather working, Mary Carolyn was left to do all the chores of the household by herself. The family moved several times and eventually settled in Riverside, California where Mary Carolyn graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 1950. There she met her future husband, Donald Reay Nielsen, who she married in Saint Catherine's Catholic Church on March 18th, 1952. They had two sons, Kenneth R Nielsen and Michael P Nielsen, and two daughters Linda M Nielsen, and Cynthia A Nielsen.

Initially, she worked for ATT as a telephone operator, but eventually focused her attention on her children and homemaking. She ended up moving her household a total of 28 times over her husband's Naval career.

She and Don were avid duplicate bridge players and very successful at it, obtaining a Life Masters title. Mary Carolyn enjoyed hula, square dancing and talking. Many memories revolve around her at her scrub board at the kitchen sink or on her knees cleaning the floor late in the night. Unfortunately, her husband passed away June 24, 2009 from cancer. It was then that she committed herself more towards her religion. She was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Legion of Mary. She visited the homebound, hospital patients, and seniors at the local senior care facilities.

Once living alone became too difficult, she relocated to Bakersfield May of 2019 where her oldest son and wife as well as her granddaughter's family resides. Since that time, she was able to enjoy spending more time with her family.

Mary C was a great fan of rummy and very adept at winning. She leaves behind her oldest son Ken, 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.