Obituary of Helen Nelson

Helen C. Nelson, 102, died peacefully at her home surrounded by family July 24,2015. Born in Albany on August 29, 1912, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Nellie Grimshaw Cook. Helen grew up in Bennington VT, attending the University of Vermont for 2 years before marrying George Nelson in 1932. The young couple then moved to Scotia where October 2015 would have marked 80 years living at their home. Helen was a master gardener. She coordinated the garden clubs for landscaping of Freedom Park in Scotia, created to celebrate the bicentennial. She was a member of the Eucalyptus Club and the N.Y. District Garden Club. Helen was a longtime horticulture judge in many events. When her children were small she was active in girl scouting. She was a longtime member of the First Reformed Church in Scotia, serving as a deacon, historian, and long-time member of the Women's Guild. Helen loved her neighborhood, holidays, music, reading and her family. Her beloved husband George passed away in 1972. She leaves behind a sister, Martha Lawrence, of San Antonio, TX. Survivors include her loving daughters, Barbara J. Robinson of Scotia and Georgia N. Grant of Niskayuna; five grandchildren: Jeffrey, John and Michael Robinson; Barbara G. Graber and her husband Mark, Edward Grant and his wife Lisa. Helen is also survived by four great grandchildren: Eliza Robinson; Benjamin, Helen and Edward Graber. The Nelson Family would like to acknowledge their appreciation to the Visiting Nurse Palliative Care Team for their loving care of Helen; especially Dana, Heidi, Kathy, Louise and Sonja, Sue, and Timothy. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 30, at 1 PM at First Reformed Church, N. Ballston Avenue in Scotia with Rev. Daniel Carlson officiating. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend and may also call on the family Wednesday(July 29) from 6pm-8pm at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd. Scotia-Glenville. A procession will follow the service on Thursday to Park Cemetery in Scotia. Memorial contributions may be made to City Mission, Hamilton St. Schenectady.