Obituary for Patricia Anita Nilsson
On November 10,2020 Patricia Anita Nilsson passed away of heart failure at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, VT. Her only child Nancy was by her side. Her love, support and friendship will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Mom was an amazing mother, sister, Mom Mom, daughter and aunt to so many.
Pat is survived by her beloved daughter Nancy and husband Anthony G. Cardinal of Fletcher VT; her adored grandchildren Brandon James and Mason Christopher Cardinal of Fletcher, VT who will surely miss their “Mom Mom” her guidance, acceptance and unconditional love for them. Her step grandchild Dustin Cota and wife Tara and great grandchildren Justus and Kale Cota of Fletcher VT will miss her thoughtfulness, her open-heart and the desire for everyone to succeed. Pat is predeceased by her husband Christopher Nils Nilsson the love of her life and will never be forgotten from Underhill, VT; Mother Catherine Elizabeth Roberts-Holtzner from Granite, MD and mother-in-law Gertrude Lyons Nilsson of Willimantic, CT. She is survived by her sister Charmaine Mayers from Summerville, SC; brother William Holtzner and wife Karyn from Groveton, GA and sister Martha Holtzner-Krach and partner Harvey Cohen from Dayton, NV; niece Vicki Royal from Westford, VT; Trevor Royal and wife Samantha Royal from Fairfax, VT; Kayla Royal and partner Devin Delisle of Johnson, VT; adored great niece Aubree Nichole Delisle; nephew Shawn and wife Dawn Mayers, and their children Taylor, Sydney and Emma from Summerville, SC; nephew Tommy and wife Sarah Holtzner from GA; niece Michelle and Matt Beers from Iowa; brother-on-law Andrew Nilsson from Washington, NC; sister-in-law Barbara Nilsson from Hancock, ME; nieces and nephews Rachel McLean from Raleigh, NC; Gregory and Lisa Nilsson from Willimantic, CT and Erik and Josie Nilsson from Doral, FL.
Pat was born in Havre De Grace, MD on December 29,1942 to Catherine Elizabeth Roberts-Holtzner and Thomas Franklin Holtzner. Pat attended Catonsville High School in Catonsville, MD. She spent much of her time playing field hockey, leading her class as class president and working. She graduated in 1961 and continued her education at Townson State University. She decided to pursue her teaching degree with inspiration from her 6th grade class, physical education teachers and coaches and high school biology and social studies teachers. Pat expressed “It was so much fun with lots of activities and hands-on learning opportunities.”
She met the love of her life Chris Nilsson in the early sixties. They married on May 22,1965 and left immediately to fulfill their dreams of living in the Green Mountains of VT. In 1965-1968 she took a job on WCAX TV as “Miss Pat” on Romper Room, where her dedication, skills, and love for children began. In November 1970, Chris and Pat adopted daughter Nancy Noel Nilsson, “You were sent to us by an angel” her mother said, and their family was complete. She spent the next few years renovating their first home in Underhill Flats then their second home in Fletcher, VT spending the summers on their boat Puff, Ha’Penny and finally Breezy sailing the coast of Maine, New York City, and Martha’s Vineyard with their daughter Nancy. Pat returned to school at the University of Vermont and graduated with her Masters of Arts, Endorsements in Middle School Language, Social Studies, Science and Physical Education, General Elementary K-6, Physical Education and Health K-12. In 1978 she accepted a position at Bellow Free Academy in Fairfax, VT. Over her career at BFA she taught 6th grade Language Arts, 4th grade General Elementary along with Physical Education, Health, K-6, plus a few upper classes and brought Field hockey to BFA. In 1978 the family moved to Allendale, NJ where she was a stay home mom and substituted at the local elementary school. She returned home with her family to Underhill, VT, her teaching position at BFA in 1981. She loved to go on adventures and vacation with her family and friends, summers spent on their last boat Breezy in Maine with Chris and family, teaching her grandsons about sailing and wildlife, her weekend adventures and trips to Maine with special friend Elaine Delorme and their art shows with Anne Bissonette. Driving down to the river to read a book was one of her favorite pastimes. Most of all she loved to spend time with her family; barbeques, time spent kayaking, watching her grandchildren, friends at Camp Breezy or just gardening and watching the news and Hallmark with her daughter. Pat’s philosophy was always “for the good of all”. I am blessed to have been raised by such an amazing woman. Miss you mom every day; our hugs, laughs and our daily chats. You are loved and deeply cared for by all.
Special thank you to Elaine Delorme, a lifetime friend and colleague, for all of the love and support she gave to our family; Vicki Royal, Susan French and Cindy Tetrault for unconditional love and the Franklin County Home Health Agency for their amazing care.
A Memorial Service celebrating Pat’s life will be held on August 28th at 3pm at the home of Tony and Nancy Cardinal, 271 Shaw Rd. Cambridge, VT 05444. Everyone is welcome. Please come and help us celebrate the life of an amazing woman. Donations in Pat’s memory may be made to the Bellows Free Memorial Library Fairfax VT, 05444.
Pat is survived by her beloved daughter Nancy and husband Anthony G. Cardinal of Fletcher VT; her adored grandchildren Brandon James and Mason Christopher Cardinal of Fletcher, VT who will surely miss their “Mom Mom” her guidance, acceptance and unconditional love for them. Her step grandchild Dustin Cota and wife Tara and great grandchildren Justus and Kale Cota of Fletcher VT will miss her thoughtfulness, her open-heart and the desire for everyone to succeed. Pat is predeceased by her husband Christopher Nils Nilsson the love of her life and will never be forgotten from Underhill, VT; Mother Catherine Elizabeth Roberts-Holtzner from Granite, MD and mother-in-law Gertrude Lyons Nilsson of Willimantic, CT. She is survived by her sister Charmaine Mayers from Summerville, SC; brother William Holtzner and wife Karyn from Groveton, GA and sister Martha Holtzner-Krach and partner Harvey Cohen from Dayton, NV; niece Vicki Royal from Westford, VT; Trevor Royal and wife Samantha Royal from Fairfax, VT; Kayla Royal and partner Devin Delisle of Johnson, VT; adored great niece Aubree Nichole Delisle; nephew Shawn and wife Dawn Mayers, and their children Taylor, Sydney and Emma from Summerville, SC; nephew Tommy and wife Sarah Holtzner from GA; niece Michelle and Matt Beers from Iowa; brother-on-law Andrew Nilsson from Washington, NC; sister-in-law Barbara Nilsson from Hancock, ME; nieces and nephews Rachel McLean from Raleigh, NC; Gregory and Lisa Nilsson from Willimantic, CT and Erik and Josie Nilsson from Doral, FL.
Pat was born in Havre De Grace, MD on December 29,1942 to Catherine Elizabeth Roberts-Holtzner and Thomas Franklin Holtzner. Pat attended Catonsville High School in Catonsville, MD. She spent much of her time playing field hockey, leading her class as class president and working. She graduated in 1961 and continued her education at Townson State University. She decided to pursue her teaching degree with inspiration from her 6th grade class, physical education teachers and coaches and high school biology and social studies teachers. Pat expressed “It was so much fun with lots of activities and hands-on learning opportunities.”
She met the love of her life Chris Nilsson in the early sixties. They married on May 22,1965 and left immediately to fulfill their dreams of living in the Green Mountains of VT. In 1965-1968 she took a job on WCAX TV as “Miss Pat” on Romper Room, where her dedication, skills, and love for children began. In November 1970, Chris and Pat adopted daughter Nancy Noel Nilsson, “You were sent to us by an angel” her mother said, and their family was complete. She spent the next few years renovating their first home in Underhill Flats then their second home in Fletcher, VT spending the summers on their boat Puff, Ha’Penny and finally Breezy sailing the coast of Maine, New York City, and Martha’s Vineyard with their daughter Nancy. Pat returned to school at the University of Vermont and graduated with her Masters of Arts, Endorsements in Middle School Language, Social Studies, Science and Physical Education, General Elementary K-6, Physical Education and Health K-12. In 1978 she accepted a position at Bellow Free Academy in Fairfax, VT. Over her career at BFA she taught 6th grade Language Arts, 4th grade General Elementary along with Physical Education, Health, K-6, plus a few upper classes and brought Field hockey to BFA. In 1978 the family moved to Allendale, NJ where she was a stay home mom and substituted at the local elementary school. She returned home with her family to Underhill, VT, her teaching position at BFA in 1981. She loved to go on adventures and vacation with her family and friends, summers spent on their last boat Breezy in Maine with Chris and family, teaching her grandsons about sailing and wildlife, her weekend adventures and trips to Maine with special friend Elaine Delorme and their art shows with Anne Bissonette. Driving down to the river to read a book was one of her favorite pastimes. Most of all she loved to spend time with her family; barbeques, time spent kayaking, watching her grandchildren, friends at Camp Breezy or just gardening and watching the news and Hallmark with her daughter. Pat’s philosophy was always “for the good of all”. I am blessed to have been raised by such an amazing woman. Miss you mom every day; our hugs, laughs and our daily chats. You are loved and deeply cared for by all.
Special thank you to Elaine Delorme, a lifetime friend and colleague, for all of the love and support she gave to our family; Vicki Royal, Susan French and Cindy Tetrault for unconditional love and the Franklin County Home Health Agency for their amazing care.
A Memorial Service celebrating Pat’s life will be held on August 28th at 3pm at the home of Tony and Nancy Cardinal, 271 Shaw Rd. Cambridge, VT 05444. Everyone is welcome. Please come and help us celebrate the life of an amazing woman. Donations in Pat’s memory may be made to the Bellows Free Memorial Library Fairfax VT, 05444.