Obituary of Althea R. Nelson

Althea Reeder Nelson Althea Reeder Nelson, 101, went to the life eternal Friday evening, September 23, 2022 at Loudonville Assisted Living Residence. She was born January 1st, 1921 to John Elmer & Mary Jane (Smith) Reeder, in Rome, NY. Althea attended Rome schools, graduating from Rome Free Academy in 1938. She attended business school in Utica. She faithfully attended First Baptist Church of Rome from her dedication as a baby through her marriage to the late David Bruce Nelson on October 18, 1941. Dave was in the General Electric program for new engineers so they were moved frequently for the first four years of marriage before their second move to Schenectady in 1945. It was supposed to be only for six months but ended up to be their final transfer. In 1950 they bought their first home in Niskayuna where Althea proudly said she lived for 52 1/2 years. She sold that home in 2001 to be a founding resident of Glen Eddy, living there in independent living until January, 2020 when she removed to Loudonville Enhanced Assisted Living, Loudonville, NY. Althea was a full time mother of 3 daughters and was active at Emmanuel Baptist Church while the girls were growing up. In 1966 she was called to be church secretary and considered it a hi-light of her life to have Rev. James C. Miller as her first boss. Ever the perfectionist she willingly put in whatever hours were required to have her job tasks completed to perfection. She continued as secretary of Emmanuel Friedens Church until her retirement in June 1988. She remained lifelong friends to 11 grade school girls who formed the SSS Club and she was the last surviving member. A member of the EBC bowling league for over 40 years and of several walking groups over the years, she also joined a ceramics class and made many beloved family heirlooms. She sewed most of her life, making several suits for herself and even one for Dave. She rekindled her interest in contract bridge at Glen Eddy and played three times a week. Church and family were always central to her life. Following retirement Althea travelled to Hawaii and abroad several times. For many years she rented a condo in March on the beach at Ponce Inlet, FL where many family and church members spent time there with her. One time she invited so many people to stay that a second condo had to be rented. Always generous, she just knew it would work out with daughter Marilyn’s help. Althea was delighted when her daughters started researching her family history in 1996. They shared many research trips to the Williamsport, PA area and met dozens of “new relatives” and rekindled relationships with many others. Among Althea’s ancestors was John Reeder who came from England to Massachusetts in 1630. As her health declined grandson Steve was with her five days a week and daughter Marilyn was with her every night and weekend. Granddaughter Madi travelled to give relief whenever she could. The rest of the family can’t thank them enough for their devotion to Alphie. She moved to Loudonville Assisted Living just before COVID started in 2020. It was heart breaking not be able to spend time with Alphie for over a year. Althea is survived by three daughters: Marilyn (Bart) Bisgrove of Niskayuna, Joan (Don) Haury of West Monroe, NY, and Janet Nelson of Canton, CT; son-in-law Bob Munn of Las Vegas, NV; two very special grandchildren: Steven (Deborah) Bisgrove of Delmar, NY and Madalyn (Chuck) Alridge of Freeville, NY; 4 great grandchildren: David Bisgrove of Los Angeles, CA, Mary Bisgrove of Augsburg, Germany, Hope (Jake) Rauscher of Ithaca, NY, Mercedes Alridge of Groton, NY; sister Doris Reeder Mesle (age 105) of Roseville, CA; nephews: Joe, Mike and Matt Nickele, Richard Mesle; nieces: Anne and Maidi Nickele, (Maidi stole the hearts of the family as a seven year old when she flew back from California with Dave & Althea in their Cessna 182 and stayed for a month); Dave’s cousin, Niki Rubin of Schenectady, who has spent time with the family since childhood; and various additional cousins, grand nieces & nephews, etc. She was predeceased by her husband who died December 15, 1987 after 46 years of marriage; sister-in-law, Mary Nelson Nickele and husband, Nick; brother-in-law Doug Mesle; and niece, Sue Mesle Hester. The family will receive family and friends at Emmanuel Friedens Church, 218 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12307, on Friday, September 30th from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a Celebration of Life service at noon. Burial will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Orwell Evergreen Cemetery, 2102 Co. Rt. 2 Orwell, NY 13114, resting place of four generations of Dave’s family. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 218 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12307 or to Planned Parenthood of Schenectady, 1040 State St., Schenectady, NY, 12307. Arrangements are by the Jones Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Colonie, NY 12205. To leave messages for Althea's family please visit www.jonesfh.net.