Marisue Nelson Taube (formerly Bishop), 80, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, in Englewood, Florida, after battling Alzheimer’s disease for many years. Marisue was born on March 12, 1946, in Wenatchee, Washington, to Harold Nelson of Roundup, Montana, and Gladys Huff of Alberta, Canada.

Marisue had a genuine interest in the people and world around her and never stopped learning. She enjoyed traveling and discovering new places, learning new skills, and appreciating arts and culture. She welcomed people without judgment and had a way of making them feel comfortable and included. Over the years, loving friendships naturally grew into an extended family. She showed up when it mattered, even traveling to Russia to be with a friend during an international adoption journey. And above all, she loved to giggle, finding humor in all that was good.

Marisue earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in 1982 and built a career there in Alumni Affairs and Development that spanned nearly three decades. She held leadership roles including Director of Development for the College of Arts and Sciences, Director of External Relations for the University Library, and Director of the Office of the Councils before retiring in 2015. Following Cornell, she continued her involvement in international education through leadership roles with the Australian Independent Schools USA Foundation and the University of Tasmania Foundation USA.

Community service was important to Marisue throughout her life. Among the organizations she supported were the City of Ithaca Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, Empire State Games, United Way, and the Ithaca Yacht Club. Alongside her work at Cornell, she consulted for organizations including The History Center of Tompkins County and the Tompkins County SPCA. In recent years, she took great pride in serving as a Sarasota County Polling Station Assistant Clerk.

Marisue adored her ten grandchildren and loved her collection of beautiful, funky earrings. She found a particular joy in nature, sharing those interests with family and friends, whether on Cayuga Lake, in Aurora, or later in Florida. As a volunteer at the Cayuga Nature Center, she relished holding vultures, ferrets, and snakes to show to visitors, and sitting in Daisy the Fox’s cage to rub her belly.

She is survived by her husband and soulmate, David Taube; her sons Matthew Nelson Bishop (Tammy Frezinski) of Alpine, New York, and their children Ryan and Reagan; Ian Nelson Bishop (Margaret Cohen) of Freeville, New York, and their son Yonni; and Andrew Nelson Bishop (Antonia Etcheverry) of Park City, Utah, and their children Nicolas and Mia Anne; stepdaughter Hilary Cullen of Orlando, Florida, and her children Aedan and Emme; and stepson Joshua Taube (Krista Brown) of Tampa, Florida, and their children Kylie, Mila, and Alexandra; her sister, Nikki Nelson Behner (Wayne) of Arlington, Washington; and her nieces and nephews, who she held close throughout her life.

Marisue considered herself a secular humanist and lived in a way that made life better for the people around her. Details of a celebration of life will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tompkins County SPCA, The Alzheimer's Association , or a charity of one's choosing.