Shrewsbury – Katharine M. (Colaizzi) Nelson, 94, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2022 at the Christopher House of Worcester. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald R. “Bob” Nelson, in 2008, and by their son, Donald R. Nelson, Jr., in 2016.
She leaves her devoted children: Katharine Furst and her husband Arthur, Suzanne Bell and her husband Andy, Patricia Nelson and her husband Bill Ellis, Paul Nelson and his wife Rosario, David Nelson and his wife Carol, William Nelson and his wife Patricia, Stephan Nelson, and Elizabeth Ward and her husband Michael; her daughter-in-law, Suzanne Nelson; her grandchildren: Alana, TJ, and Paul Curtis Nelson, Max and Sam Furst, Andrea and David Bell, and Skylar Nelson; six great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews. Katharine was also predeceased by two grandchildren, Jahmal Nelson and Matthew Maloney; and all eight of her siblings.
Katharine was born in Worcester to the late Anthony and Mary (DiGreggoria) Colaizzi, where she was also raised and educated. She worked for many years as an Administrative Assistant at the Worcester Age Center. Katharine volunteered at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, and volunteered with Bob in Hopkinton for the Boston Marathon, for several years.
In her free time, she enjoyed walking, doing yoga at the Senior Center, and spending the day in the sun in the family pool. Katharine was an avid reader and loved listening to jazz music. Above all, her family meant the most to her, and being able to spend time together during gatherings and holidays (especially Christmas!) was her favorite.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Anne’s Human Services, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (https://stannesparish.org/donations).
A calling hour will be held from 9:30 – 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 AM at Saint Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Tpke, Shrewsbury, and burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
