Obituary of Doris Jane Nelson

Doris Jane Nelson, age 80, of Shelton, CT, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, June 1, 2012. Doris was the daughter of the late Frank E. Wadleigh, and the late Ruth Emma (Perry) Wadleigh, and sister of the late Malcolm Wadleigh. She attended Stevens High School in Claremont, NH, and graduated valedictorian in 1949 speaking at the graduation ceremony on her vision of the impact of television on the American family both positive and negative. She was athletic and was a majorette in her school marching band, and competed in pair skating with her brother Frank P. Wadleigh. After graduation, Doris worked for the New England Telephone Company, before marrying Andrew W. Nelson III and raising their four daughters together spending most of their married life in Bedford Village, New York. Doris was an active volunteer for the Bedford Village Elementary PTA, Bedford Republicans, Bedford Garden Club, and the Bedford Village Badminton Club. She also enjoyed teaching figure skating at the Harvey School in Katonah, NY. She then joined the staff of the Bedford Presbyterian Church. Doris was active in a wide variety of local educational and charity organizations as a volunteer while living in Lake Forest, IL, including teaching reading to children. Her enthusiasm, love of learning, and embracing the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading positively impacted many students. Doris took tremendous pride in working as Tax Collector and later as City Clerk at the Claremont City Hall. She loved her childhood community and was always meticulous especially in conducting elections. Doris spent 20 years devoted to her work at Claremont City Hall. At home, Doris is best remembered playing the piano with grace and pizzazz, especially the song Rustle of Spring. She had a passion for music and could play any Broadway show tune with Camelot being her favorite score. Doris is a Daughter of the American Revolution and a Mayflower descendant. Survivors include four children; Cher Nelson Floyd and her husband Edward of Plymouth Kingdom, Vermont; Laurie R. Nelson of Shelton; Barbara L. Brooks of Shelton and Pamela M. Aris and her husband James of Redding; cherished grandchildren Nelson and his wife Molly, Samuel, Morgan, James, Alan, Theo and Andy; her brother Frank Wadleigh and his wife Jean; sister-in-law Ramona Wadleigh; four nieces, one nephew, 10 great nieces and nephews and 10 great great nieces and nephews. Funeral Information Funeral Services will take place on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Shelton. Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday morning from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial will be held in tribute of Doris in Claremont, NH, this summer. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, donations in Doris name may be made to the Stevens High School Scholarship Fund, 175 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743.