Mary Brule’ Nelson, long time resident of Medford, Massachusetts and Delray Beach, Florida, lost her long, valiant struggle against cancer on Thursday April 15th, 2010 at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Mary was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the only child of Louis and Madeline Brule’ and grew up in Brighton. She graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Northeastern University, a BA Degree with honors from Salem State College and a MA Degree with honors from Tufts University.
Mrs. Nelson began her career as a Lab Technician rising to Assistant Chief of Hematology at Mt. Auburn Hospital. After raising three children, she attained certification in education and worked in the Medford Public Schools and as a Science and French Teacher at St. Agnes School in Arlington where she chaired the committee on school certification.
Moving to Medford in 1981, she became a full time mother and took an interest in a variety of community activities. Mary was a member and officer in the St. Francis of Assisi Mother’s Club and a committee member of the church sponsored Cub Scout-Boy Scout Troop. She went on to become a member of the Catholic Lay Committee on Scouting where she received the St. George’s Medal. Mary was dedicated in her work with young scouts to achieve the scouting religious medals. She enjoyed the recitals of her children and grandchildren. Mary was regularly seen on the sidelines cheering for her children on the soccer fields of Medford and when they played soccer at college.
As the children got older, Mary became a career changer and took her degree in education and became a teacher of French and Science. She enjoyed using her French heritage and her science background to stimulate young minds and became an active member of the National Association of Teachers of French, the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers and the National Science Teachers Association.
As an avid traveler, Mary has visited over 14 countries. Her interest in genealogy led her to repeat visits to Ireland and France where she chronicled her family roots back for hundreds of years, as well as enjoying the culture, seeing her grandparent’s birth home, and visiting the church where her great grandparents were married. She was very proud to have been able to attain her Irish Citizenship.
Illness compelled her, sadly, to leave education. She, and her husband Ross, decided to become snowbirds and spend their winters in Delray Beach, Florida. Mary became a member of the South Florida Genealogical Society and a knitter with the community knitting group, making caps and toys for the local children’s hospital. The trips to and from Florida became opportunities to visit friends along the way and sightsee at locales such as Savannah, St. Augustine and Naples.
Mary is survived by her husband of 40 years, Ross Nelson of Medford, MA and Delray Beach, FL, son Scott Nelson of Medford, MA, son Douglas Nelson, his wife Allison Nelson, and beloved grandchildren, Emma and Jack Nelson of Franklin, MA and daughter Jennifer Nelson of Woburn, MA.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Wednesday April 21st at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church , 441 Fellsway West, Medford at 10 AM. Services will conclude with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday April 20th from 4-8 PM.