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Mary “Rie” Dolores (Luzzi) Nelson peacefully crossed from this world into Heaven early May 9, with her sons, daughter-in-law, and grandson by her side. She was born in the City of New Haven on Aug. 9, 1933. Legally she was known as Mary and fondly known as Rie to her brothers and sister and Aunt Rie to her nieces and nephews.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Leonard R. Nelson, Sr.; her parents, Donato and Mary (Balzano) Luzzi; and her five brothers and her sister, John, Dominic, Sante, Don, and Joseph Luzzi and Ann (Luzzi) Triano. She is survived by her sons Leonard R. Nelson, Jr., and Donald M. Nelson, Sr., daughter-in-law Pam Nelson, and her grandson Donald M. Nelson, Jr.

Mary was a homemaker who held many jobs throughout her life, working for A.C. Gilbert manufacturing toy trains, Greaves Company testing diodes, and D & S Store making grinders. She attended Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven.

Mary loved dogs and had seven of them, six rescued from local shelters. Donations can be made in her name to the Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter at www.findafriendforlife.org/donate.html.

Mary was an avid golfer throughout her younger days and many who remember her playing say that, had opportunities at the time been more extensive for women when she played, she had the talent to play professionally. She won many awards and trophies playing against both men and women, playing whenever she could barefoot. Mary loved to cook, and fed her family and friends all too well and all too much. She always put others that she loved before herself and lived life for her family.

Friends called May 16 at the Guilford Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated May 17 at St. George Church, Guilford, followed by burial in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The New Haven Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 9056 Brewery St. Station, New Haven, CT 06532 www.findafriendforlife.org/donate.html. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.