Hazel S. Nelson

Hazel (Salmon) Nelson, 97, of Farmington, beloved wife of the late Russell J. Nelson, passed away peacefully Wednesday, (November 30, 2011) at her home. Born on March 17th, 1914 in Twining, Michigan, daughter of the late Herbert and Ethel Salmon. Hazel grew up in Plainville with her siblings Jim Salmon (Bristol, CT), Jean Anderson (deceased), (New Britain, CT) and Earl Salmon (Hilton Head, SC). Hazel and Russ were married in September 1937 and lived and raised their family in Farmington prior to moving to Groton, CT after their retirement where mom took on the role of "Base Commander" for dad's role as a "Lobster Man" and Shellfish Warden. Mom and dad moved to Bristol, CT to keep an eye on two of their sons, Jack (Claire) and Steve (Diane) who, despite their advanced ages were still emotionally unstable and needed their parents strict discipline and guidance. Clyde (Audrey), who they had banished to the mountains of Colorado due to his unruly behavior while in his early 20's, managed to have two sons, Kyle and Alec, who, despite being brought up in a cabin, are now able to sit at a table, use utensils to eat and do not growl when approached by humans. Jack and Claire's kids Russ (Angela), Cynthia, and Brian (Monika) still play with fire trucks and race cars, are tethered to their parents and not allowed to live more than a 1000 feet from home. Steve and Diane, despite advice from professional not to, have two of their own misfits, Chelsea (Seth) who is not allowed back on the west side of the Connecticut River and Zach living and breeding in a cult society in northwest Connecticut. Regardless of how her own kids and grandkids turned out, and probably because she was such a loving, caring, and elegant woman she managed to have four and counting beautiful and loving great grandchildren, Brianna and Jared with Russ and Angela, Luke with Brian and Monika and Emerson with Chelsea and Seth. Hazel was formerly employed as an office manager at Perma-Type Co. in Farmington before retirement. She was a member of Grace United Church in Farmington. She asked that we thank her friends, nieces and nephews, her "family" at Village Gate, her Sunday crew at Grace United, the care givers at Bristol Hospital Home Care and Hospice and especially her niece Jeanine, who was her "wheels" and "body guard" the last 6 years for the friendship and kindness shown her throughout her life. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at Grace United Church, 110 South Rd, Farmington. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home in New Britain is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace United Church, 110 South Rd., Farmington, CT 06032 or East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department, 94 South Rd., Farmington, CT 06032.