Ethel R. (Joyce) Nelson

Ethel R. (Joyce) Nelson CORNISH, NH -Ethel Ruth (Joyce) Nelson passed away peacefully on August 4th, 2023 at the age of 87. Her final days were spent surrounded by her loved ones and being cared for by the amazing nursing staff at New London Hospital. She was a resident of Cornish, NH for most of her childhood and adult life. At the time of her death, she lived at Woodlawn Nursing Home in Newport, NH, close to her son James (Jim) Nelson and his wife, Jill. Ethel was born on May 22, 1936, in Boston, MA and completed her schooling in Windsor, VT. In 1954 at the age of 18, she met Wayne Nelson of Cornish, NH while working at the Cinderella Spa in Windsor. They married on June 26th of the same year at Trinity Church in Cornish. Wayne and Ethel celebrated 45 years of adventures together before his passing in December of 1999. They had 3 sons together. Ethel enjoyed the farm life and loved the outdoors. She was known as “The Beaver Lady” in the late 1970’s, being featured on WNNE TV and in many newspaper publications for having befriended a family of beavers with husband Wayne, gaining their trust enough to hand-feed them apples for several years. When their sons were grown and married, Ethel began photographing the Cornish Windsor Covered Bridge and selling photos and postcards of it at the bottom of their driveway, which was directly across from the pull-out on the NH side. For over a decade, she was well known as “The Bridge Lady”. She met thousands of visitors from all over the world and was passionate about sharing with others the history of what was then the longest covered bridge in the US – and why it should be commemorated on a US postage stamp! In addition to Jim and Jill, she leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Kara Nelson, Kyle Nelson, Katy Chaloux, Danny Nelson, and Ivy Hammond, as well as 12 great-grandchildren. Her surviving siblings include David Joyce, Ruth Frank, Richard Joyce, and Roy Joyce. She was predeceased by sons Robert and Edward Nelson, sisters Grace Cheever and Earlene Couitt, as well as brothers John Joyce, Roger Joyce, and Earl Joyce Jr. A celebration of life will be held from 1-3pm on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Trinity Church in Cornish, NH. This will be a time for casual visiting, reminiscing, viewing of photos and memorabilia, as well as music played by her eldest great-granddaughter, Adelyn Nelson. At 3:00pm there will be a brief graveside service. All are welcome. Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.