Obituary: Mary Ellen (Dunleavy) Nelson, 87, Of Bethel

Information Courtesy Honan Funeral Home

BETHEL, CT — Mary Ellen (Dunleavy) Nelson, 87, died on April 18, at Regional Hospice of Danbury. She was the wife of the late Robert L. Nelson Sr. and the daughter of the late Harold and Helen Dunleavy.

Mary Ellen was born August 5, 1933 and spent her entire life in Bethel, graduating from Bethel High School in 1951. In high school she set her eyes on her quiet “sweet swede," Bob, and eventually they were married for 57 years.

Mary Ellen attended Danbury Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1954. Her nursing career started at Danbury Hospital, and she continued her nursing career throughout her life eventually retiring from Filosa Nursing Home in Danbury.

Mary Ellen is survived by seven children: sons Robert L. Nelson Jr, (Debra), Michael Nelson (Trina), James Nelson, Paul Nelson (Heather), Mark Nelson (Christine), daughters Lori Nelson and Lynn Nelson, 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by sisters June Jones (Ted) and Helen Berube (Bob), and brothers Harold (Scooch) Dunleavy (MaryAnne) and Jack Dunleavy (Nancy). She was also predeceased by brother, Douglas Dunleavy.

Mary Ellen loved canning, baking and cooking. She enjoyed playing cards and was considered the card shark among her family and friends. She took pleasure in playing (and winning) setback and cribbage. Whether on the basketball court in high school, in a bowling league, or taking up golf later in life, she looked forward to competing. She loved to follow UConn Womens Basketball.

Mary Ellen was always a hardworking woman, from working on a farm, to delivering milk before going to school, to raising seven children while still working as a RN. Besides being with her family, she cherished getting together monthly with her nursing friends. "Her Hens," (as she called them) got together on a regular basis for over 60 years.

A longtime member of St. Mary Church in Bethel, she had a strong faith and was a devout Catholic. Taking an hour every night, she faithfully prayed for the souls of all her departed family and friends.

Of course, with a large family, all holidays with her huge family were her favorite days. She especially loved the 4th of July which every year was a major picnic event for family, friends and neighbors. Mary Ellen was very proud of her children and grandchildren. Her favorite saying was to all of her grandchildren. When she saw them she would say, "Who do you love" ? They all knew she loved it when they would yell …"GRANDMA" or "MEME"!!!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church in Bethel, Ct. on Saturday, April 24 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel. The family will receive friends at walk-through wake, with mask wearing and social distancing at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470 on Friday, April 23, between the hours of 4 and 7In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Danbury Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Rd. Danbury, CT 06810