Lillian Nielson

Lillian M. Nielson (Rinaldo), formerly of Worcester, passed away peacefully in the care of her family on Friday, January 2, 2009. She shared a home with her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Kempton Parker, in Mashpee. She was the wife of Raymond J. Nielson, who predeceased her in 1988. Her youngest daughter, Lisa, died in 2004. She is also survived by her son, Raymond J. Nielson Jr., of North Ft. Myers, FL, and three grandchildren. Born in Worcester on March 1, 1925, she was the daughter of Antonio and Maria (Trotto) Rinaldo. One of 10 children, she is survived by her two younger sisters, Lucy Napoli, wife of Lt. Col. Joseph Napoli (Ret.) of Marion, and Louise Tarallo, wife of Francis Tarallo of Shrewsbury. Her brothers, Michael, Frank, Matteo, John and Joseph, and her sisters, Ann Savastano and Mary Ricciardi predeceased her. Lil graduated from Commerce High School and went to work at Crompton & Knowles. She married Ray in 1950 in Worcester where they raised their family and built a home and business. After Ray's death, Lil and her daughter, Lisa, continued to run the Chadwick Square Package store until Lil retired in 1998. In 1955, Ray and Lil bought a cottage in the Grove in Harwichport. This beach house, where she spent every summer with her children, was the place she loved most. She cherished her days sitting by the water, reading, doing crossword puzzles, visiting with friends and having an afternoon nap. Warm, genuine, compassionate and fiercely independent, Lil also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. She will be greatly missed at gatherings of family and friends. Calling hours will be held at Mercadante Funeral Home, 370 Plantation Street in Worcester on Saturday, January 10, from 9-10 am, followed by Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester, at 10:30 and interment at St. John's Cemetery. Visit www.mercadantefuneral.com for directions and online condolences.