Obituary: Mary H. (Hugo) Nielson, 56, Of Bethel: Nurse And Firefighter

Information and Photo Courtesy Hull Funeral Home

BETHEL, CT — Mary Hugo Nielson, age 56 of Bethel, peacefully passed away at Regional Hospice in Danbury on Friday, June 24, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.

A woman known by many names. Widely known as Mary to students, colleagues, and acquaintances. Close friends often knew her as Min and to family she was Melissa.

Few have touched the lives of as many people as Mary. From an early age she naturally was drawn to serve others through caring for her little brother John. Her caring nature led to a lifelong passion for service through healthcare. First as an EMT for Danbury and Newtown Ambulance and as a firefighter for Dodgingtown Fire Department. She later saw the opportunity to help even more people by furthering her education. She first became a Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Sexual Assault Nurse, Licensed Aromatherapist, and Doctor of Nurse Practitioner.

Through her service work, Mary realized she had a passion for educating others as well as being a lifelong learner herself. Mary studied general studies before perusing her BSN at Western Connecticut State University, she went on to attain her Masters of Nurse Practitioner, Masters of Education, Doctor of Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Education. Mary loved being a professor and was invested in all students under her tutelage. She was beloved by students and faculty alike. She also ceaselessly worked to further the field of nursing through her published studies.

Above all else, Mary was a loving and selfless wife, mother, daughter, friend, and neighbor; her radiant smile and kindness lit up everyone around her. She was a devout Catholic who truly put into practice the teachings of the church. Mary is survived by her husband Peter and son Steven.

The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church, 26 Dodgingtown Rd., Bethel, Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.