Mrs. Joan "Jody" Nelson

Joan “Jody” Nelson, of Gravesleigh Terrace, Pittsfield, died on October 16, 2022, at age 93. Jody leaves behind her beloved husband Harold, two daughters, Jennifer Bloomfield, and Kristie Pease, five grandchildren, Allison Lombardo, Steven Lombardo, Derek Lombardo, Benjamin Bloomfield, and Katherine Bloomfield, and many lifelong friends. Jody was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1929 to Elva and Scott Carrigan. The family later moved to New Smyrna Beach, Florida where Jody’s sister Lynne was born. Jody graduated from high school in 1946 and completed her freshman year of college in St. Paul majoring in liberal arts. In 1947, she transferred to Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. Jody was blessed with energy and enthusiasm and immediately became active in the Russell Sage Outing Club. Her avid interests were hiking, skiing, and canoeing. It was during this time that she met Harold who was equally active in his school, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), outing club. After graduating with a degree in Home Economics in 1950, Jody moved to Paterson, New Jersey to become the YWCA program director. Upon Harold’s graduation in 1951, he moved to Alaska for work and proposed marriage to Jody by mail. They were married at Jody’s home in New Smyrna Beach and returned to Alaska together. Jody was carried over the threshold of their small rental house where they were met with a snowdrift on the kitchen floor. Around 1957, Jody and Harold settled in Delmar, New York to raise their two daughters, Jennifer and Kristie. In 1965, Jody was interviewed for an Albany Times Union article “Is There a City Woman and a Suburban Woman," in response to the Betty Friedan book “The Feminine Mystique”. During the interview, she shared her perspective and satisfaction with suburban life, although she did make a point of mentioning that she very much enjoyed her solo trips to New York City to visit museums, plays, and whatever else she felt like doing. In the late 60’s, the family moved to the Berkshires and have been loving members of the community to this day residing over 30 years at their beloved home in Canoe Meadows. Jody was an excellent seamstress and knitter. Her interest in design launched another passion later on, which was to needlepoint rugs. Many of you have seen her remarkable rugs displayed at their home. Jody had a thirst for culture and travel. She and Harold traveled extensively all over the world after Harold’s retirement, including multiple trips to Paris which was always one of her favorite places to visit. She was a hugely competitive tennis and paddle ball player and enjoyed the winter paddleball games on the court at the Country Club with her pals immensely. Jody continued to play tennis long after she lost mobility in her legs and instead relied on her gracious partners to good-naturedly run down the frequent lobs. Jody was modest regarding her accomplishments. To name a few of them, she started a Homemaker Home Health Aide agency, associated with the Visiting Nurses Association. She also launched a Shetland wool import mail order business which was a viable business for quite some time. Jody supported the Continuing Education program at Berkshire Community College, was a Berkshire Museum Board Member, and a patron of the arts. Jody was also a proud member of the Bluestocking Group and was so honored to be a part of a group that she considered women of substance. There she worked diligently on her presentations including the Hanford WA war efforts and cleanup and her own family immigration history. Funeral Notice: Jody’s family would like to invite all to a memorial service in her memory on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 11am at the Pittsfield Cemetery Chapel. Her burial will follow at the Pittsfield Cemetery and then a luncheon in her honor at Zucchini’s Restaurant. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mrs. Joan "Jody" Nelson

August 17, 1929 - October 16, 2022