PORT ANGELES — The Vern Burton Memorial Community Center was barely big enough Saturday to contain the hundreds who paid their respects and memorialized 6-year-old Theodin Nelson and his grandmother, Mary Wyman, on Saturday.
About 700 people filled the chairs and stood lining the walls around the gym at the afternoon memorial service, showing family members of the young boy and his grandmother that their loss is not felt by them alone, but by the Port Angeles community as well.
Theodin and Mrs. Wyman, 60, died one week ago today in a car wreck on state Highway 112.
Mrs. Wyman was the mother of Port Angeles real estate agent and City Council candidate Brooke Nelson. Theodin was the son of Mrs. Nelson and her husband, Sequim police officer Darrell Nelson.
Also injured in the head-on collision was North Olympic Peninsula native Emily Dickens, 22, and her husband, Joshua Dickens, 24.
Emily Dickens remained in critical condition on Saturday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, a medical center spokeswoman said.
Joshua Dickens remained in stable condition at Olympic Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Bicycle, boots
Participants at the memorial service described the grandson and grandmother as having infectious personalities that brought joy to everyone who knew them.
Theodin was a loving, bright boy with an elevated sense of compassion and desire to do the right thing, those who knew him said.
“His eyes were full of wonder and excitement; he was always looking to learn and inquire,” said family friend Bernie Folino during Theodin’s eulogy.
“He was always willing to share a smile, a laugh or a hug.”
Like each of the speakers, Folino stood on a stage surrounded by Theodin’s bicycle, pictures of him and his grandmother, and Mrs. Wyman’s red cowgirl boots that she wore dancing.
Mrs. Wyman, who was a mental health therapist and clinic director of Klallam Community Services at the time of her death, was known for her love of laughing and dancing and her dedication to her clients and family.
Helped people
“Laughing was a big part of her life,” said her supervisor, Rob Welch.
“You could identify the woman far away at any distance . . . May her laugh echo through eternity.”
Mrs. Wyman’s son, Wade Thompson, said his mother loved helping people overcome addictions and other life problems.
“She greatly enjoyed helping others turn their lives around,” he said holding back tears, adding she was always willing to be “a bit silly.”
Mrs. Wyman’s commitment to her clients was noted by several Lower Elwha Klallam tribal members, who sang songs in both English and Klallam during the memorial service.
“Thank you for sharing your mother’s life with our community,” said Jamie Valadez, a Klallam language teacher at Port Angeles High School.
“She has helped us in so many ways.”
Nelson family friend Laura O’Neil, who led Mrs. Wyman’s eulogy, read several comments from former patients who credit her for saving their lives.
‘Forklift romance”
Mrs. Wyman is survived by her husband Steve Wyman.
They met while both worked at the Rayonier pulp mill in 1979, sparking what Mrs. Wyman would later call the couple’s “forklift romance.”
O’Neil told the large crowd that lessons can be learned from Mrs. Wyman’s life:
“Love your family and friends with everything you got,” she said.
“Embrace them like it may be the last time, and embrace like it was the first time.
“Live, love and laugh as much as you can.”
Theodin’s uncle, Doug Nelson, recalled playing games and pretending to sword fight with his nephew while acting as Vikings or knights during his visits to the Nelson’s Port Angeles home.
Closing prayer
“I envision you are in a place where you sail Viking ships and sword fight . . . where there are no carrots, not even five,” he said while looking to Brooke Nelson with a smile.
“Rest well, my friend.”
Theodin’s father was the last to speak before Ben Charles of the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe gave the closing prayer.
He read a letter he wrote to his son the day he and Brooke Nelson gave their son his name.
The letter was to be given to Theodin after he had grown up.
“There are so many things that I want to teach you,” Darrell Nelson read.
“Above all my son,” Darrell Nelson said at the end of the letter, “Know that we will always love you.”
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.