live Gertrude Daley Nelson, 91, of Damariscotta, passed away peacefully on Feb. 27, 2019 at Traditions of Wayland, in Wayland, Mass.
She was born in New Haven, Conn. on Jan. 16, 1928, the daughter of Mason W. Daley and Sadel Dooley Finkenauer Daley.
Olive was a graduate of Hillhouse High School, Class of 1943, and earned her nursing degree from Yale New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael Campus. She served as an Ensign in the United States Navy Nurse Corps, stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, where she met her husband of 45 years, Dr. William James Nelson.
Olive and Bill moved from Pelham Manor, N.Y., where they lived for almost 40 years, to Damariscotta in 1988. In addition to Damariscotta, Olive and Bill enjoyed their time together at Whispering Pines, their family camp located in West Gardiner on Lake Cobbosseecontee, where they raised their family and welcomed many friends over the years. Olive and Bill enjoyed living on the Maine coast and at Whispering Pines before Dr. Nelson passed on in 1997. Olive thereafter continued to live and thrive in Maine, splitting time between Damariscotta and Whispering Pines.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her loving brother, Mason Daley.
Olive leaves six children, Peter M. Nelson of Damariscotta, Nora T. Nelson of Damariscotta, Michael J.T. Nelson (Toni) of Prescott, Wis., Andrew W. Nelson (Mary) of New Canaan, Conn., Sarah N. Dillaway (Gregg) of Natick, Mass., and William J. Nelson, Jr. (Gillian) of Darien, Conn.; 15 grandchildren, Michaela, Ryan, Megan, Michael, Katharine, Kate, Robert, Claire, Nelson, Sam, Brian, Caroline, Mary Bridget, Elizabeth, and William III; and four great-grandchildren, Anna, Liam, Charlotte and Patrick.
The family will receive friends at 10 a.m., Fri., March 8 at St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle. The wake will be immediately followed by a Celebratory Mass at 11 a.m., and a private burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Church later in the spring. The Nelson family will also host a reception in the Parish Hall following the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, (stjude.org or (800) 805-5856), or to Boys Town (boystown.org or (800) 217-3700).
Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
