Elsie G. Nelson

Greenfield, Massachusetts
Elsie G. (Kavanaugh) Nelson, 88, a resident of the Buckley Health Care Center at 95 Laurel Street, died peacefully on Saturday morning, March 31, 2018 following a period of declining health.
A native of Erving, MA, she was born on April 10, 1929 to Phillip G. and Julia (Dyer) Kavanaugh and was educated in Erving and Montague Public Schools. She was employed by the former Bendix Corporation, Prudential Life Insurance Co., the former Sullivan’s Pharmacy, Greenfield Tap & Die Corporation and by the Franklin Medical Center, retiring in 1997.
Elsie was a member of the Board of Organized Work of the FMC, often volunteering in the gift shop and at the front desk in the lobby. She also volunteered at the senior center. She was known around Buckley to befriend any and all residents with her cheery, outgoing and bubbly personality. She enjoyed reading, traveling, dancing, fashion, motorcycle riding and, eating dessert first. Additionally, Elsie loved animals and was a uniquely precious mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Elsie married Nicholas “Nick” Nelson on November 11, 1966 in Northampton, MA. She was predeceased by him in 1988. She leaves a large and loving family who will remember her with affection: Stephen J. DeMaria and wife Francesca of Fairfield, CT; David R. DeMaria and wife Jeannine of Edgewater, FL; Melody-Ann Whitney and husband Eli of Northfield, MA; and Tami J. Nelson Bresnahan and husband John of Longmeadow, MA, as well as 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Additionally she leaves her siblings, William “Bill” Kavanaugh and wife Baerbel of Bradenton, FL and Ann Marie Newton and husband Bill of Erving MA, along with several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Nick, she was predeceased by her parents, her loving son, Mark and her devoted siblings: Phillip Kavanaugh, Francis “Bucky” Kavanaugh, Katherine “Kitty” Waitkus, Arlene Mitzkovitz, and Edward “Pete” Kavanaugh as well as her long-time, beloved partner, Alphonse “Al” Ruggeri.
In keeping with Elsie’s requests for simplicity, she will be cremated. A graveside service in celebration of her life will be observed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Turners Falls, MA on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 11:00AM. A reception will be announced at the conclusion of the committal services. Visiting hours have been omitted. At Elsie’s request, flowers are respectfully asked to be omitted with expressions of affection preferred in her memory to the Dakin Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01001.

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