Harriet J. Nelson

Harriet J. Nelson, 99, passed peacefully into Heaven on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at home surrounded by family. She was born in North Grosvenordale, CT, on April 26, 1921. She was the daughter of the late Oscar and Ellen Johnson and the sister of the late Milton Johnson, Chester Johnson, and Doris Davignon. Harriet graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School and worked at American Optical prior to meeting her husband of nearly 75 years at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. They were married on May 4, 1946, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Harriet's hometown. Harriet is survived by her husband Carl Nelson and their three children – Richard Nelson and his wife Elena of Narragansett, RI; Kenneth Nelson and his wife Sandra of Kingston, NY; and Cheryl Anastasia and her husband Charles of Bristol, RI. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren – Hollee and Edward Finnerty and their children, Katelyn and Andrew; Kristin and Steven Carson and their children, Matthew and Rebekah; Joshua Nelson; Caleb and Ruth Nelson; Michael Nelson and his son Michael, Jr.; Nathaniel and Keri Nelson and their children, Ainsley, Liam, and Callum; and Erica and Daniel Makuch and their son Jason. Harriet is predeceased by her great granddaughter, Kari Danielle Makuch. Funeral and burial will be private. Donations may be made in Harriet's memory to CareNet RI/Harmony Women's Care Center, 35 Greenwich Street, Providence, RI 02907, or Samaritan's Purse.