Leslie Marcella Nelson Thornton

Leslie Marcella Nelson Thornton did what she set out to do. She was born December 2, 1951, the eldest of five siblings, and in her role as “the General” she started her lifelong journey of moving mountains for the people she loved. She was a mother, a rancher, a heartbreaker (we found the letters, Mom), a gardener, a logger, a good mechanic, an award-winning home cook, a nurse, a grandmother, and a force of nature. She lived an incredible life. When it was good she was happy, and when it was hard she was harder.

She went to see Janis Joplin at 16, helped organize one of America’s first outdoor rock festivals a year later, spent her twenties learning, falling in love and traveling the world, and spent her thirties pulling calves and fixing tractors. Later she went back to school to become a nurse, graduating in 2005, and worked the remainder of her career as an RN until her retirement in 2018. In March of 2020, her only grandchild Tell became the focal point of her relentless love.

Of all the things she did, many of her proudest moments were as a generous, loving, unwavering mother to her two children, Tyrel and Candace. She was extraordinarily proud of their success, the credit for which can be attributed in no small part to the potential she saw in the transformative power of education. For Tyrel and Candace, she was a guiding force in their childhood and a hero in their adulthood. 

She is survived by her son Tyrel, who will miss her macaroni and tomatoes, her hugs, and how she always had his back (even when he thought he didn’t need it). She is survived by her daughter Candace who will miss her advice, her love yous, and who fears for the health of her garden without Leslie. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Monica who will never forget how welcome she made her feel, and how she could make everything feel like a celebration. She is survived by her grandson Tell, who thought she was magic incarnate, and to whom she gave entirely too much sugar. She is survived by Tom Thornton, who will miss her support, her strength, the way she demonstrated love and care through food, and her radar. She is immeasurably missed by all of us, but all is good.  

Please join her family for a viewing at Dahl on Saturday, March 30 at 1:00pm. Bring photos, memories of Leslie, stories of her being mischievous, and any money you owe her.