Nelda (Leavitt) Finlayson

Nelda Leavitt Finlayson, age 87, died Wednesday, October 14, 2020, comfortably at her home in Riverside, California. She was born on February 14, 1933, in Mesquite, Nevada, to Joseph Josiah and Cora Melvina Knight Leavitt. On July 31, 1953, she married Desmond Maurice Finlayson in the St. George LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on April 23, 1978.
Nelda grew up in Mesquite, Nevada. She raised her family in Riverside County, California, where she worked as a crossing guard for the Alvord Unified School District. She loved supporting her children and serving in the community. She loved to listen to Johnny Cash and Elvis, watching the Dodgers baseball and the Lakers Basketball Teams. She was active, enjoying walking, gardening, canning various fruits and vegetables, baking homemade bread, crocheting, reading romance novels, and skimming through fashion and celebrity magazines. On occasion, she would enjoy a bowl of bread and milk reminiscent of her childhood. She often shared her warm memories of orange and nut-filled Christmas stocking prepare by her Aunt Edith. A tradition she carried on to her own children.
 
Survivors include one son and three daughters: Coralyn (Carrie Allen) of Hemet, CA; Sandra (Bruce) McNeill of Grants Pass, OR; Glen Finlayson of Riverside, CA; Nylene Finlayson of Hemet, CA; and daughter in law, Jackie Finlayson of Riverside, CA; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and one brother, Kay (Jackie) Leavitt of Overton, NV. And multiple nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son, David Finlayson, and her siblings, LaRose, Wanda, Marva, Ina, Jay, Owen, Glen, Ren, & Lougene. The family will always be grateful for the loving care provided by Jackie and Glen for several years leading to her final days. She will be remembered as a caring mother and wife with the gift gab and the know-how to make a penny stretch.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 24, 2020, at 2 p.m. at the Mesquite City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. before services at the Virgin Valley Mortuary, 320 E. Old Mill Road, Mesquite, Nevada. 
RSVP Nylene (951)756-0809 if you will be in attendance. 
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Lewy Body Dementia Association: at www.lbda.org 
Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com

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