Mary Nilsson, Matriarch of Geissler's Supermarkets, Dies At 89

EAST WINDSOR, CT — Mary (Geissler) Nilsson, daughter of Geissler's Supermarket founder A.F. Geissler and grandmother to the grocery chain's current fourth-generation leadership, died Saturday. She was 89.

The lifelong resident of the Broad Brook section of East Windsor grew up riding with her father to pick up grocery orders and then delivering the next day. He had founded his business in 1923, and was originally located at 123 Main Street in Broad Brook.

After Mary graduated from Ellsworth High School and Colby Junior Colege, she married Jim Nilsson, who took over the business and expanded it into a multi-location independent chain. Today, Geissler's has stores in East Windsor, Somers, Windsor, South Windsor, Granby, Bloomfield and Agawam, Mass.

Jim Nilsson died in 1995 at 63, and the couple's four children - Jim Nilsson Jr., Dan Nilsson, Kathy Rybick and Karen Cudnik - took over business operations. Jim Nilsson Jr. retired in 2018, and Mary's grandson Bob Rybick took over as president.

Rybick posted a video tribute to his grandmother on the Geissler's Facebook page Monday night.

"I know many of our customers and employees knew her by name, and shared kind words with her when they saw her shopping in one of our stores," Rybick said. "She was always proud of her four children, who helped expand and grown Geissler's Supermarkets, and equally proud of the fourth generation, for continuing the legacy of quality fresh food."

By early Tuesday morning, more than 100 messages of condolence had been posted on the business Facebook page. Here is a sampling:

• "Will always remember her witty comments and stories about family, travels and of course the stores. She will be missed." - Christine Poskus
• "A very classy, funny, and sweet woman. I always looked forward to chatting with her when she’d stop in the store. I will miss her very much." - Jim Guthrie
• "I had the pleasure of meeting her a handful of times at her great-grandchildren's birthday parties. She was always so pleasant and friendly; she will be missed." - Marcia Banach Blanchard
• "When I was a teen, I worked at the bank across the street in East Windsor. I went every day to get lunch. If Mrs. Nilsson was there, we’d always have a little chat. What a wonderful family" - Anne Cordiliko Harringon
• "My sincere condolences to all ... many many memories of Mary as a friend and boss will always be with me." - Julie King
• "I worked at Geissler's just when all the grandchildren were coming along. Mary was so proud. She was so nice." - Maggie Ryan Abbe

Her complete obituary from Pietras Family Funeral Homes may be viewed here.

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