Maxine (Nielson) Daniels

Maxine Nielson, known to friends and family as “Mickey”, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2023, at the age of 86.  She was born in Springville, Utah in 1936 to Sherman and Florence Bringhurst Nielson.

Mickey grew up in the Brookside community and attended Springville High School.  She held a number of jobs in her youth, including working as a “peeler” in a tomato cannery, serving and waitressing in Yellowstone Park, and working in her uncle’s restaurant in Los Angeles.  These were wonderful, adventurous, years.

Mickey married Thomas Emerson Daniels in 1957 and together, they had two children, Thomas E. Daniels Jr. and Elizabeth Ann Daniels.  Mickey and “Ted” moved the family to Pullman while Ted finished graduate studies in Literature. 

In 1962, Mickey began what would become her lifelong career as an Administrator in the Math and Physics Department at Washington State University, WAZZU.  Over the course of her nearly 40-year career, Mickey was a popular and well-respected member of the Physics Department family.

Throughout her life, Mickey was known as lively, thoughtful, friendly, and hard working.  It was sometimes remarked that Mickey also had a “mischievous side” and sharp wit.  Mickey had a love for music, road trips, her children, family, babies, animals and the Snake River.  She enjoyed working with the good people of WSU Physics and Math Departments, was an accomplished bowler in the local league, winning several trophies over the years.  She loved fishing with friends at the river, hunting for Indian artifacts, beach walking and collecting sea shells.  She had a fondness for Dungeness Crab, gardening and traveled to Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

Mickey retired at the age of 62, moving closer to her daughter in Seattle and buying a home on lovely Whidbey Island in the village of Langley.  She was beloved in her community making many friends and adding delight to all that knew her.

Mickey is survived by her son and daughter, Tom and Liz, and granddaughters Claire and Lily.  Mickey will travel back to her beloved Springville, Utah to rest alongside her family.

Mickey will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  We are so fortunate to call her Mom and will forever miss her kind and gentle soul.

There will be a viewing held at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. followed by graveside services at 10:30 a.m. in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East in Springville.

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