They were loving people they were my great great grandma and jadan my brother they were awesome I miss you beemie love you 😘 R.I.P beemie 

Bob and I are so deeply sorry for your loss.   Our heart goes out to all of you. I have so many fond memories of “the other” Nelson’s.  Everyone always thought we were related. 
Mrs Nelson was an amazing, strong woman.   She was involved in everything at the Lake- Ladies of the Lake, swim team, etc etc!     I learned the fine art of stuffing chicken wire with tissue paper  for a baby parade float from her!  That one won Queen reprising Kristen’s float from many years before! 
Although “Nelson’s Nut House”  was sold long ago, your family is forever part of our Lake family and memories of growing up!  I would like to think our Moms are sitting on a beach somewhere - along with the rest of our Lake Wallkill angels.  
XOXOX 




Prayers to the extended Nelson Family during this Time of Great Sorrow. 
May your memories always bring you some measure of comfort. 

When I was four years old, a big sister came into my life.  Being so young caused me to mispronounce her name as JoJan.  Technically, she was my sister-in-law, but she became my sister-in-love immediately and enduringly.  Since I had no concept of the war in Korea or the danger my brother was in, it was a joyful time for me because I had JoJan all to myself.  When gifts were sent home from his R&R in Japan, it was like Christmas.  I remember sitting on the floor and watching JoJan model a fitted dress with a mandarin neck and frog closures on a diagonal.  Looking up at her, she was the most glamorous woman I had ever seen.  At their 65th anniversary, Joann is wearing a golden Asian style top and still looks stunning. (See the photographs.)

Joann provided some of the best memories of my childhood.  Even as her own children came along, she included me to go skating, sledding, and rolling down the hill at Martling’s Pond.  I tried to replay rolling down the grass hill in my thirties at Storm King Sculpture Center and rolling in the snow at 60 in upstate NY.  My body survived probably because my only thought was how much fun it had been to do with Joann and her children.

When we went skating on Martling’s Pond, Noreen probably had on twin blades at that time and if Skippy had been born he was in a sled that had a back and sides that could be pushed or pulled.  I was standing still in my dainty figure skates with pom-poms on them and my ankles nearly touching the ice.  If I moved I ended up sitting on the ice.  Meanwhile, Joann would glide by on her black racing skates with elongated blades making long, graceful strides and leaving me enveloped in a cool breeze.  For the rest of my life, when I saw an image of an Olympic speed skater, I would think Joann could do that!

Part I of Reflections on Joann by Peggy Nelson



Joann was multi-talented and creative.  She could drawer, paint, do pen-and-ink sketches, sew, knit, crochet… She attempted to teach me these skills to no avail though it wasn’t my teacher’s fault.  Joann could also do authentic Old English calligraphy which if probably how I ended up printing names on hundreds of certificates of achievement over the years.  Joann made my Halloween party a big hit with tween peers due to the variety of creepy games and activities she created.   At Lake Wallkill, she was responsible for transforming our yard into a grotto for a traveling novena and a rowboat into a Viking vessel for the Sons of Nel for Regatta Day at Lake Wallkill.  My mom, “Nana”, and Joann made crafts for fundraising for the church and did a song and dance routine in contrasting outfits to “Me and My Shadow” probably for a talent show.  I also remember Joann dressed as Sheena, Queen of the Jungle wearing a long wig.  Of course, it was Joann who made and assembled the costumes for these skits.

Except for that wig, Joann never had long hair in my memory and it was styled shorter over the years, but always stylish.  Her femininity was obvious and her grooming was impeccable.  Her mani’s and pedi’s were self-administered long before nail salons ever existed.  Her brows were just so and she showed me how to use an eye-lash curler resulting only in pinched lids.  Whether for casual daily wear or an occasion, Joann chose and assembled outfits that looked as if she had spent much more than she did.  And how she loved jewelry!

Part II of Reflections on Joann by Peggy


It was always my contention that Joann could have risen to a position of power in any profession or business because of her leadership ability.  Instead, she donated her skills to community service.  Joann joined the women’s organizations at her churches, the Mother’s Clubs for any school her children attended, Ladies of the Lake and the Teen Canteen at Lake Wallkill.  For fundraising, Joann organized bazaars, fairs, and bake sales.  After joining, it took no time for Joann to become an officer and then the president of many of these organizations.  Even in Florida, other women at the condo were recruited to knit hats and scarves for Toys for Tots and later for a club at my college that was taking them to NYC to distribute to the homeless.  Joann was a natural leader because her own enthusiasm encouraged others to embrace her ideas.  In addition, she was always conscious of expressing appreciation to her workers or members.

Joann was above all a survivor.  She survived breast cancer at a young age, hepatitis C from a blood transfusion, compression fractures resulting from osteoporosis, persistent skin conditions, a heart attack along with the natural byproducts of aging.  Let us not forget that she endured four pregnancies and deliveries and raising four children with all their individual trials and triumphs.  Through all that, she accumulated 69 years of marriage to my brother.  She only made it look easy, rarely complained, and used her faith and humor to stay joyful and hopeful.  May she now be peaceful, as well.
My JoJan will always be remembered and missed. 
With love, Peggy



I don't know where to begin.  I met Skip and Jo when I was 18 years old.  Through the years we have laughed, cried and enjoyed our time together - we watched our kids grow up at Lake Wallkill and Staten Island; we formed the 'magnificent seven' - meaning the seven couples that got together at the Lake, as well as S.I. and even in Florida. There are so many memories! Jo was one of the happiest, loving and friendliest person I ever met.  She was a great Mom, a devoted wife, and a wonderful friend.  She will be missed.  And I know that Jack, who introduced us and had an even longer history with she and Skip would have said the same.  Love you all.

To all the Nelson Family,
     Such great memories of all the activities, events shared at LWK , those were the days when families weren't just blood realatives, everyone watched over one another, "Mr & Mrs. Nelson" were examples of this. 
Condolences to all, Norren, Skippy, Ed, Kristen & your Dad, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
♡Joanne LeFurge
 

Thank you for the love you gave my
Parents and family. One needs to know Lake Wallkill ... to know that my childhood, for 3 months every year, I had 150+ mothers looking after me ... we all
did there. My parents are and were great friends of the Joann and Skip Nelson, so from an early age, we all ...as kids ... watched how this fun, loving friendship  grew over  60 plus years. Because of the time, place and love ... I speak for many, I hope, that think ... at times I had a thousand cousins ... and Aunts and Uncles. That said Aunt Joann was one of the best ... she, in my head, was what Lake Wallkill was always meant to be ... a great way of life and slice of life. And if I may add ... I loved looking back that she was also a bit tough on us ... I smile because I think now that was a great mark about here ... it made us/me stronger because of her ability to “be there for you”.

Many happy memories of Mrs. Nelson, Mr.  Nelson and the happy group of Staten Island friends who summered at Lake Wallkill, NJ. There were so many parents keeping an eye on us kids, we had no chance of getting in trouble (wink, wink).  

Mrs. Nelson, 
I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting you, but I served in the Marines proudly with your son Ed. What I know about your son is that he was a phenomenal leader. That means your were an amazing woman and mother. So I guess I know a little about you through your son. Rest in Power  Mrs. Joann F. Nelson

Prayers and thoughts  for the entire Nelson Family 
Keith Adams and Family 

I am so very sorry to hear about Mrs. Nelson. She was an absolute icon of Lake Wallkill and my memories of her are too many to count. I will always remember her cheering at the swim meets, her laughing - one of the very best laughs ever and of course, yelling at Kristen, myself and our friends when we did something stupid (often)
There are a lot of Lake folks ready to greet her. My thought sand prayers to the entire Nelson family. She was so fiercely proud of all of you.
Love, Neil

Mrs. Nelson was one of the coolest Moms at the lake. She worked so hard to make sure every family had a great summer and a true Lake Wallkill experience.  I always had fun spending time at "Nelson's Nut House". Mrs. Nelson will be missed by all. Sending prayers for the family.

Remembering Mrs. Nelson fondly as a wonderful advisor to our Teen Canteen at Lake Wallkill in the 60’s. Condolences to the family. 

Mrs Nelson, thank you so much for all your work with the youth of the Lake Wallkill community over the years. I have lots of fond memories of the activities you organized. Rest In Peace.

Richard Olsen

Visitation

Mass of Christian Burial

She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Art (Skip) Nelson and their four children, Noreen, Skip (Pattie), Edward (Tsuna) and Kristen; sister-in-law, Dr. Marguerite Nelson (Brandon); five grandchildren, Megan, Patrick(Hillary), Kellie, Amy and Desiree; five great grandchildren, Jadan, Riley, Lacey, Skylar and Julia, as well as several nieces and nephews.


She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Julia Finley and her brother Edward (Bud) Finley.

OBITUARY

Joann F. Nelson

23 June, 1933 – 6 September, 2020

Aycock Funeral Home

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