Obituary of Ethelinda P Nelson

Ethelinda P. Nelson, 92, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2020 at her home at Fellowship Village, Basking Ridge, NJ. Born in NYC to John J. Powers and Ethel Conroy Powers, she grew up in Summit, NJ, raised her family in Sleepy Hollow, NY, later residing briefly in Norwalk, CT before returning to her NJ roots. Ethelinda graduated from The College of St. Elizabeth with a B.A. in Mathematics (she is also a graduate of The Academy of Saint Elizabeth) and later attended Fordham University, attaining a Master’s degree in Education. Her professional career began at AT&T in NYC and later moved to its Engineering CCTV Training Organization in Cincinnati, OH. After marrying Bill Nelson, whom she met at AT&T, she became a devoted full-time mother of three daughters. When their youngest entered school, Ethelinda taught math at St. Theresa Catholic School in Briarcliff and later at the Holy Rosary School in Hawthorne, NY where she also directed student musical theater. She went on to teach HS math at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry and at The Academy of Mt. Saint Ursula in the Bronx for several years. Ethelinda transitioned to teaching math and computer science at both Marymount College in Tarrytown and at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry. She remained a dedicated college professor well into her 70s. She worked part time for many years for the Historic Hudson Valley and enjoyed sharing the rich history of its national treasures with her grandchildren. Ethelinda was a longtime member of the Philipse Manor Garden Club, serving a term as President. She served for decades as a Eucharistic minister and Mass lector at The Church of the Transfiguration, Tarrytown, NY. Other volunteer work included PTO president for Transfiguration School, Brownie Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts of America, Meals on Wheels and Religious Education teacher. She was also the trusted office assistant for Maurice “Zac” Zaccardo, D.D.S., a close personal friend, who ran a successful dental practice in Tarrytown. She had a passion for travel and enjoyed meeting diverse people from all over the world on her many voyages and adventures abroad. She was an intrepid traveler, venturing on a hot air balloon, climbing the Great Wall of China, and riding a camel at dawn to see the Sphinx. She was just as happy swimming in the ocean or strolling along the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore, especially Spring Lake and Ocean Grove, where she spent many happy times with her parents, husband, children and grandchildren. Ethelinda always enjoyed celebrating her Irish heritage whether marching in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade, watching her grandchildren compete in Irish step dance competitions or singing Celtic ditties in an Irish Pub. During her later years she sang with the Fellowship Village Chorus. Above all else, Ethelinda was devoted to her family. She loved cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting events and attending their theater and dance performances. She always had an encouraging word; a welcoming smile and hug and she sure knew how to throw a party! Ethelinda loved hosting her extended family to share a meal or special occasion. She had a true zest for life. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 28 years Willard “Bill” E. Nelson, their daughter Lisa Marie Nelson Fiore, her brother Jack Powers, and son-in-law Jim Farley. She is survived by daughters Maryanne Nelson Smith and Eileen Nelson Farley, sons-in-law Frederick “Rick” Smith Jr. and Frank Fiore Jr., grandchildren Seana Smith Gately (Mark), Conor Smith (Claudia), Kelsea Smith, Delaina Smith, Frederick “Sam” Smith III, Hilary Farley, Brendan Farley, Julia Farley, Neil Farley, Willard “Will” Fiore, Erika Fiore, Raleigh Fiore, and great grandson Stowe Gately. The family would like to thank the superbly caring team at Fellowship Village and Fellowship Hospice. A mass of Christian burial will be held for the immediate family at St. James Church, Basking Ridge. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations made in Ethelinda’s memory to a charity of your choice, or to the Healthcare Heroes Fund at Fellowship Village, You can make a donation by check. Please make your check payable to Fellowship Senior Living, Inc., Heroes Fund and mail to: Attn: Philanthropy Dept. Fellowship Senior Living, Inc. 8000 Fellowship Road Basking Ridge, NJ 07920