Viola I. (Anderson) Nelson, 99, died peacefully August 10, 2005, at the Life Care Center of Auburn. Her husband of 70 years, T. Edward Nelson, died in 1997. She is survived by her sister, Estelle C. Kukta, of Branford, CT, several nieces, nephews, three sisters-in-law, and her second cousin & caregiver, Barbara L. McCarthy of Auburn. Five brothers and two sisters predeceased her.
Viola was born on March 22, 1906, in New Haven, CT. Her mother, Lydia W. (Lonberg) Anderson, and her father, Carl P. Anderson, are deceased. At age 8, she moved to Worcester, MA where she was raised by her late uncle and aunt, John A. and Elina Anderson. Viola attended Commerce High School and Worcester Post Business School. She was employed by Norton Company for 2 years and by Olson Manufacturing Company, now known as Inner Tite Corp., of Holden, for 22 years as a bookkeeper/secretary until retiring in 1972. She was a member of the former Bethesda Congregational Church and attended the Belmont Street Baptist Church in Worcester for many years. She resided in Auburn for 46 years. Viola studied voice and often sang solo in several churches and in church choirs. She was an avid reader. She especially enjoyed making clothes, knitting and fine crocheting.
A graveside service will be held at All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester, at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Belmont Street Baptist Church, 25 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA 01605. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester is handling arrangements.