Maureen A. Nelson

Maureen Agnes Nelson (nee Bailey) passed away on September 24th, 2025 just shy of her 91st birthday.

She was born in the Bronx, NY on September 27th, 1934, to John and Mary Bailey. She was predeceased by her brothers, John Bailey and Jeremiah Baley, and her daughter Carol Nelson.

She is survived by her husband Tom; her daughters Dona Adler (Scott); Jean Rice (James); and her son Thomas Nelson III. She also leaves behind a sister, Catherine Corbo of Pearl River NY and a loving family circle of cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was beloved “grandma” to eight grandchildren - Bryan Rice (Erin); Peter Rice (Sarah); Daniel Fagan; Steven Gooler (Charlotte); Alex Kolonics; Emma Nelson, Lily Nelson and Aidan Nelson; and was step-grandmother to Zach Adler and Dylan Adler.

She also leaves behind her cherished great-children Makenna, Keira, Thomas (by Bryan and Erin); Audrey (by Steven and Charlotte) and her step great-granddaughter, Layla Mae (by Zach and Carly Adler).

Maureen married the love of her life, Thomas Nelson, on October 20th, 1956 in the Bronx NY. They ultimately settled the family in Rockland County, NY, buying their first home in Spring Valley in 1963 and then moving to West Nyack in 1968 where they lived for 34 years.

Born in the Depression Era, Maureen’s childhood was often fraught with want and frugality. But as a mother, she always made sure that the holidays were filled with joy and celebration. She would host large family gatherings for occasions throughout the year despite working full time and always made sure there was time for family vacations and visits to relatives. It was also a labor of love for Maureen to research the family ancestry on both sides and work tirelessly to preserve and organize family photos, videos and other mementos.

For her time, Maureen was a rare breed of working mom who had various accomplished careers. She was the Information Center Coordinator at Nathan Kline Institute in Orangeburg NY from 1968-1978 and created their procedure manual for Outpatient Reporting; she was the first director of the NYS Lotto and Daily numbers games from 1980-1983 and was involved in designing the computerized program we use today to purchase lottery tickets; and she was the Director of Special Projects for Columbia University’s NY Psychiatric Institute from 1984 – 1998. To say the least, Maureen owes much of her success to her strong will and determination.

Upon becoming empty-nesters, Tom and Maureen moved to The Villages, FL in 2001 where they enjoyed a robust retirement full of golfing, traveling, bowling and social activity.

With broken hearts we will say goodbye during a celebration of life service and inurnment that will be held at St. Anthony’s Church 36 W Nyack Rd, Nanuet, NY 10954 followed by a reception for family and friends.

Please contact Dona Adler at [email protected] or text/call 845-542-0835 for the details.