Esther (Baker) Neelon, 87, passed away peacefully in her home on April 8. She was the wife of the late Roger W. Neelon.
She was born on July 21, 1923 in Gloucester, the daughter of Ida F. (Lorentzen) Baker and William Emerson Baker. She was the 4th of 5 siblings, Emerson Baker, Alice (Baker) Claud, Marge (Baker) Reger, and Mary (Baker) Tineo.
She graduated from Gloucester High School in 1941 and from Salem Hospital School of Nursing in 1944. After graduation she entered the Navy for a brief time as a nurse until she left to marry and have a family. She loved nursing and helped open the first ICU at St. Mary’s Hospital in WPB Florida and worked for many years in the CCU at MGH in Boston. In addition to nursing, she loved traveling the world, crafts, and raising African violets. She was loved and respected by all who met her.
She is survived by 4 daughters, Marcia Grimes of Hudson, NH, Ann Beriau of Waltham, Denise VanCampen of Andover, Lisa Hansen of Winthrop, and one grandson, Michael VanCampen of Andover, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is survived by two stepsons Paul and David Neelon, their spouses, and many grandchildren. She is also survived by her close friend Andrea Brown of Rowley.
There will be no formal service and burial will be private. Donations may be made to Hospice of the North Shore 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.