Dorothy H. (O'Donnell) Nelson

Framingham, MA – Dorothy (O’Donnell) Nelson, 90, of Framingham, MA passed away on October 6, 2023, after a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of 6 years of the late Col. Steadman P. Nelson who died in 2013.

Dorothy was born and raised in Watertown, MA, daughter of the late John B. and Mary E. (Linen) O’Donnell. She attended local schools and was a 1951 graduate of Matignon High School in Cambridge, MA. Dorothy worked in sales for 25 years for Food Dynamics in Natick, MA until retiring.

Dorothy was an accomplished Bridge player participating in many ‘Duplicate Bridge’ tournaments and was a member of the American Contract Bridge League. She participated in many world-wide bridge events and achieved the level of ‘Life Master’, the highest level of play determined by the American Contract Bridge League. Dorothy provided duplicate bridge instruction and ran duplicate bridge games locally for many years. She will be greatly missed by all and certainly never forgotten by those who loved and knew her.

Dorothy cherished her family and spending time with her grandchildren was what she truly enjoyed most. Dorothy is the mother of the late Robert Gavin Jr. and is survived by her children Lynda Jariabko and her husband Mark, David Gavin and his wife Brenda, Deborah Gavin, and Robert F. Gavin Jr.’s life partner Kathy McSweeney. Dorothy is survived by her grandchildren Danielle Wetmore and her husband Matthew, David Gavin Jr. and his wife Laura, Stephanie Gavin, Katie Gavin, Andrew Gavin and his wife Chelsey, Kelly Gavin, George Gavin, step-grandson Joseph Jariabko and his wife Amanda and her great grand-children Hailey Gavin, Bo Ryder Gavin, Riley Mayer-Toupin, Austin Jariabko and Charlotte Jariabko.

Dorothy is the sister of Francis O'Donnell and the late Patricia Bray, Barbara Bray, Joseph O'Donnell, Mary Stefaniak, Margaret Schwarz, John O'Donnell Jr., Thomas O'Donnell, Gerald O'Donnell and Gael O'Donnell.

A funeral service and celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held on Monday October 16, 2023 at 10:00a.m. in the Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749. Burial will follow in Forestvale Cemetary, Hudson. Visiting hours will be held from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2 or to Hospice at https://giving.caredimensions.org/site/Donation2