Norma A. Neilsen, 86, of Damariscotta, passed away on Sept. 16 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta after a long illness.
She was born in Portland on May 22, 1926, the daughter of Kenneth C. Naylor and Vivian Knipe Naylor.
Mrs. Neilsen attended Deering School in Portland and graduated from Bristol High School in 1945. She accepted a teaching position in Kittery upon graduation in 1949 from Gorham State Teacher’s College.
She taught for one year and then decided to enlist in the U.S Marine Corps. She served as educational guidance assistant at the Marine Corps Institute in Washington, D.C. and later was assigned as a recruiter in Seattle and as editor of the camp newspaper in Camp Pendleton, Cal., near San Diego. For a number of years, Mrs. Neilsen also served as news publicist for the U.S. Marine Band. Following her military service, she returned to teaching in the Washington, D.C. area.
She was predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Eugene Neilsen.
Survivors include her brother, Fred Naylor and wife Marie of Damariscotta; and nephews and nieces, Robert Caswell and wife Diane of Gorham, Chris Caswell and wife Rosanna of Nobleboro, Lynette Naylor of Walpole, Michael Naylor and wife BeeBee of Walpole, Kenneth Flanders and wife Linda of North Reading, Mass., Kathy and Brian Kelsey of Gray, Michele and James Brown of Damariscotta, and Beth and Bob Enoch of Lincoln.
Funeral for Norma 1 p.m., Wed., Sept. 19 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. She will be laid to rest in the New Harbor Cemetery, New Harbor.
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.
