Francies A. Nelson

Francies A. (Lucier) Nelson, 85, of Templeton, passed away peacefully, on Christmas day, December 25, 2019, surrounded by family at Heywood Hospital.

Born in Orange, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Henry M. and Jennie (Thompson) Lucier. Fran was a graduate of Templeton High School with the class of 1952.

She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Arthur R. Nelson Sr. in 1998. Fran leaves her four daughters Candice Martin Coe of Gardner, Cynthia Sund of Baldwinville, Charlene Lastella of Belgrade, Maine, Cheryl Mallet of Templeton; and one son Arthur Nelson Jr. and his wife Lorraine of Templeton. She is also survived by twenty grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and honorary son-in law Robert O’Leary of Phillipston.

Franny brought love, comfort and family wherever she was. You could not help but smile when seeing her. She never met a stranger.  Fran had open arms and an open home to any and all who came to visit. Her presence always provided laughter and warmth over activities with family such as playing skip-bo, pitch, bingo, horseshoes, cribbage as she also entered tournaments. She enjoyed Wilson Bus trips to Foxwoods and road trips to Rhode Island and Twin Rivers with her special friend Eddie. Her summers were highlighted by time spent at Pout and Trout Campground and her earlier years at Lost Lake. She had memorable picnics with her grandchildren and great grandchildren at local state parks.

Fran was a loving caretaker to all, sharing her gift of quick wit, comfort cooking and even seamstress skills; making her young daughters’ clothing and her husband’s dress shirts for the Air Force. Franny was a dedicated Airforce serviceman’s wife; as she and her husband served and raised their family in Texas, Cape Cod, Colorado, Japan and New Mexico, before returning home to Templeton. 

A heartfelt caregiver, she was a nurse’s aide at Baldwinville Nursing Home. She also worked at Standard Chair, Collier Keyworth, the Pilgrim House, Otter River Sportsman’s Club and held her first job at The Orpheum Theater, in Gardner, as a bonded ticket salesperson.

Her memory continues on as she is also survived by four sisters Helen Monette of Baldwinville, Ada LePage of Baldwinville, Rosa Buzzell of Orange, and Carol Eaton and her husband Douglas of East Templeton; three brothers Harold Lucier of Gardner, Nelson Lucier of East Templeton, and Leonard Lucier and his wife Pat of Athol and cousin Harold Fontaine as well as many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her brothers Henry and Earle Lucier; and her sister Ruth Wright; cousin Peto Fontaine and three son-in-laws Steven Martin Sr., Carmine Lastella, and Michael Chicoine.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020, from 10:00AM to 12:00PM at Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, 01440. Funeral services will immediately follow at 12PM.  Burial will be held in Pine Grove Cemetery, Templeton, MA following services at the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, 268 Central Street, Suite A, Gardner, MA, 01440. Please reference in memory of Francies A. Nelson.