Joan Marcelline Nelson

Joan Marcelline Nelson of Garden Grove, CA, passed away on December 5, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was 89 years old. Joan was born on July 5, 1934 in Chicago, IL to Earl and Elvera Nelson. She moved to Compton, CA in the 1940’s. She then moved to Garden Grove, CA in the 1950’s and remained there for the next 70 years. Joan graduated from the University of Southern California in 1956, and upon graduation, she was employed as an elementary school teacher. As an accomplished pianist from a very young age, Joan ultimately decided to leave elementary education for a career as a private piano teacher. For over 50 years, she devoted herself to her piano students and taught hundreds of students across all of Orange County, some even driving long distances to study with her. Because she loved teaching and her students so greatly, she continued teaching piano into her 80’s, with several of her students spending decades studying with her. Joan was a faithfully practicing Roman Catholic, and for a great portion of her life, Joan was a parishioner of St. Polycarp Roman Catholic Church in Stanton, CA. Immediately prior to her passing from this life to her eternal reward, she received Last Rites and the Apostolic Blessing from the Church. Joan’s strongest virtues were patience, temperance and humility. She was rarely, if ever, observed angry, and she was never known to speak a harsh word to anyone. She was a brilliant pianist but was always humble and never boasted of her gift. She also spent a great portion of her life taking care of her mother, especially in her mother’s later years. As a devoted care taker, she was a Christian witness to others of deep sacrificial love. Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Elvera Nelson, and her elder sister and her husband, Dolores and Robert Hauptman. She is survived by her younger sister and her husband, Ruth and Richard Rozak; their 5 children and spouses, Rachel and Abelardo Martinez, Jessica and Derrick Seastrom, Daniel and Tennille Rozak, Michael and Jami Rozak, and John and Briona Rozak; 12 great-nieces and nephews, and one greatgreat-niece. Joan will be dearly missed by her entire family, friends and students. Arrangements are being coordinated through Brown Colonial Mortuary in Santa Ana. Viewing and the Rosary of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary are planned for Thursday, December 14, 2023 with viewing from 4-8 p.m. and the Rosary starting at 6 p.m. at Brown Colonial Mortuary, 204 West 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 15, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Iraneus Catholic Church, 5201 Evergreen Ave, Cypress, CA. Internment to follow at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 7845 Santiago Canyon Road Orange, CA. Eternal rest grant unto Joan, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace! 

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