Carly Ann Nelson, 33, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at Benefis East Hospital in Great Falls. Carly was born Oct. 3, 1975, to Gordon and Peggy Nelson in Missoula. She grew up with her older brother, Jon, and attended schools in Helena and Wickford, R.I., and spent many happy summers in Minnesota, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York.

After graduating from Capital High School in 1994, she attended the University of Montana and Oakland University, located in Rochester, Mich. During her stay at the University of Montana, she was a sports reporter for the Montana Kaimin. She later worked as a reporter for the Andover Townsman and Eagle Reporter of Lawrence, Mass. She gained an active interest in the Democratic Party and worked on several campaigns and the offices of various Democratic elected officials in Massachusetts and Michigan.

She returned to her Montana roots in 2003 where she resumed her interest in writing. An accomplished French-horn artist, she had an eclectic interest in many music forms. She enjoyed classic rock, classical music, jazz and was a walking encyclopedia of all things Beatles, James Bond and baseball, particularly the Boston Red Sox. Her wide ranging taste in art forms did not transfer to food. She liked red meat and potatoes and that was pretty much the breadth of her diet.

Carly was a sparkling conversationalist, easily comfortable among a wide spectrum of friends. But most importantly, she valued the time she was able to spend with all those who share time as friends of Bill W.

Carly recently married and is survived by her husband, Shawn Barnier of Missoula. Additionally, she is lovingly survived by her mother, Peggy Simonson of Helena; her father, Gordon Nelson and his wife, Mary Kubitskey of Birmingham, Mich.; her brother, Jon Nelson of Missoula; and her grandparents, Jack and Onita Nelson of Drummond.

Carly is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who include an uncle, John Simonson of Missoula; uncle, Tom Simonson of Cut Bank; aunt and uncle, Diane and Al Adams; and cousins, Bart and Luke of Anchorage, Alaska; aunt and uncle Joy and Ron Wetsch of Drummond; cousins, Shawn and Toby Wetsch of Drummond; and cousin Justin Wetsch of Drummond.

Services will be held Monday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Helena with the Rev. George Harper officiating. Refreshments will be provided in the church fellowship hall following the service. Interment will take place at 3 p.m. at the Valley Cemetery near Drummond.

Carly loved animals. Memorials are suggested to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, 2112 East Custer Ave., P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59601. Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home.