Obituary of Rosemary A. Nelson

Rosemary A. Nelson, a lifelong Arlington resident, died at home with family on Tuesday evening, October 5, 2021.  Rosie was 69 years old.

The youngest of Donald J. and Julia Davis Nelson’s three children, Rosie was born at St. Francis Hospital on August 17, 1952.

After graduating Arlington High School, Rosie attended the Krissler Business Institute in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and from there began a 45-year career at St. Francis Hospital, which she often referred to as “The Hill.”  For thirty-five plus years Rosie worked in the Business Office under Betty Leary and her successors.  Then, when St. Francis merged with Mid-Hudson Regional, Fran Tkazyik offered Rosie a position in Guest Services.  It lead to an 8-year assignment, one that was particularly well suited to Rosie’s outgoing personality.  For Rosie, St. Francis and Mid-Hudson were much more than a job, or even a career. 

Rosie was a devoted and lifelong member of the Holy Trinity Church in Arlington.  She missed Sunday Mass only when severe weather or illness prevented her from making the trek, and was often accompanied by Parishioner Joan Fenner.  On Thursdays, Rosie would shop and then make her weekly delivery of staples to the Holy Trinity Food Pantry. In addition, on rotating Saturdays, Rosemary pitched in to help at The Beulah Baptist Church lunch program, working as part of “Gessie’s Gang.”

Rosie kept her apartment in spotless order, and was in regular contact with family and friends, serving as the hub in maintaining important connections.  She enjoyed touring about – whether near or far – and was always mindful of the good life that she and her parents had enjoyed. 

Rosie is survived by her brother D. Peter Nelson and his wife April of Port Ewen, N.Y., her brother Jim Nelson and wife Margaret of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., their son James E. Nelson, Jr., of Arlington, VA, their daughter Caroline Blackburn and her husband Dan, and their children, Natalie Margaret and Samuel Joseph, of Clinton Corners.

She also leaves surviving cousins Bob Holden and wife Debbie, Patricia Colosson, James and Kathleen Davis, Nancy Holden, Kathleen Preli and her husband John, and John D. Nelson, Jr. and his wife Elaine.

Calling hours will be at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on October10, 2021, from 2pm to 4pm. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial Celebrated at the Holy Trinity Church, 775 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 10am Monday October 11, 2021. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery Poughkeepsie.

Donations in honor of Rosemary may be made to the Holy Trinity Church, or a charity of your choice.

If you would like to leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.doyle funeralhome.com