Christine Sherman Nelson, 94, passed away peacefully on the morning of May 16 at her home at Chase Point in Damariscotta. Christine was born on July 22, 1921 in South Newcastle, where she grew up with her parents, Fred and Lena (Cochran) Sherman, and her two older brothers, Roger and Paul. When Christine started high school, her family moved into town to be closer to Lincoln Academy.
After graduating from Lincoln Academy in 1938, Christine spent three years living with her parents on River Road and working as a night operator at the Nash Telephone Company in Damariscotta.
Christine yearned for adventure while watching the Greyhound bus passing by her parents’ door each day. One April day in 1942, Christine hopped on board that Greyhound to move to Hartford, Conn. to work at Pratt and Whitney as part of the effort for WWII.
She continued to work after the war, and later moved to New Jersey where she ran the steno pool at Standard Oil Development and met her husband, Channing C. Nelson. They married in 1959 and raised their two sons, Peter and Robert in Cranford, N.J. Nearly 40 years after graduating Lincoln Academy, Christine went to community college and earned an Associate Degree in 1980, the same year her younger son, Robert, graduated from Cranford High School. In 1987, Christine lost her husband Channing after 28 years of marriage.
Christine’s adventurous spirit led her to travel the world, visiting every continent, (including Antarctica, twice). In her quiet way, she conquered the world. With her boundless energy, she went on a cruise above the Arctic circle, safaris in India and Africa, treks in Nepal, as well as tours of cities and museums in Europe.
Throughout her life, Christine never stopped learning and loved opera, books, art, travel, and nature. In 2010, Christine returned to live in Damariscotta at Schooner Cove, and later at Chase Point, where she discovered painting and drawing. She always appreciated her Maine upbringing, and has been very supportive of the community institutions including Lincoln Academy, Skidompha Library and the CLC YMCA.
Christine is survived by sons, Peter Nelson and wife Denise of Long Island, and Robert Nelson and wife Stephanie of Newcastle; grandsons, Eric Nelson, Kyle Nelson, Channing Nelson, and Adlai Nelson; nephews, Paul Sherman and wife Cindy of Damariscotta, Hugh Sherman of Edgecomb, Peter Sherman of East Boothbay, William Nelson of Arizona, Donald Nelson of Georgia, and Allan Nelson of California; niece, Barbara Nelson of New Jersey; great-nephew, William Sherman and wife Michele of California; great-niece, Devon Sherman McConaghy and husband Jeff of New York; and four great-great-nephews and nieces.
Christine lived a full life and was loved by everyone.
Christine will be buried in a private ceremony with her immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Skidompha Library, PO Box 70, Damariscotta, ME 04543 (www.skidompha.org).
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
