Ruth A. Ball Nelson

Ruth A. Nelson, 91, of Manchester died February 28, 2013 at the Elliot Hospital after a lengthy illness. She was born in Manchester on July 28, 1921 the daughter of Richard and Catherine (Bonner) Ball and grew up in the Queen City. She attended OLPH Grammar School and was a graduate of Manchester Central High School. Following her graduation, she was employed as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone. Ruth and the love of her life Joseph Nelson were married on May 4, 1946 and relocated to the Bronx, NY where they raised their family.

She enjoyed getting together with family and friends and loved playing cards, bingo and bowling. After 22 years in New York, Ruth and Joe moved back to Manchester in 1968. She will always be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was predeceased by her daughter Marilyn Gates in 2006 and by her brothers Richard Ball and Arthur Ball and her sisters Dorothy Danielson and Catherine Harlan.

Members of her family include her husband of 66 years Joseph F. Nelson of Manchester, her two sons William Nelson of Manchester and Robert Nelson and his wife Karen of Weare, her two daughters Margaret Poznanski and her husband John of Weare and Joan Porter and her husband Paul of Manchester, her son-in-law Donald Gates of Fremont, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, her brother Thomas Ball, her sister Marye Montplaisir and her brother-in law Kenneth Harlan all of Manchester as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation was held on Sunday March 3 from 4 to 7 PM at the McHugh Funeral Home 283 Hanover St. corner of Beech St. in Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday March 4 at 10 AM in St. Pius X Church 575 Candia Rd. Manchester. Following cremation, inurnment will be held at the NH State Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s name to the Mary & John Elliot Charitable Foundation, 4 Elliot Way Manchester, NH 03103.