Marie Anna Nielsen, 103 years old, passed away at her home in East Charleston, Thursday, October 13 ^th .  She was surrounded by her loving and care-giving family.  Marie was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 3 ^rd , 1919, the daughter of Barbara and George Bechtel.  In 1941, she married the late Christian Harold Nielsen and shared over sixty-three years in a happy marriage.

In her younger years, Marie worked as a customer service representative for Allstate Insurance Co. in New York City and on Long Island.  Years later, Christian and Marie retired early to beautiful  Echo Lake, VT.  Marie kept busy in the NEK.  She was a former President of The Ladies Auxiliary of North Country Hospital, a forty- year volunteer for the Window Box Gift Shop at the hospital; a former President of The Circle of Friends;  a former Deaconess and President of the United Workers of the Plymouth Congregational Church in East Charleston, as well as the senior and junior choir director for over twenty years.

Marie loved her family and often hosted many family parties and events through the years, sharing the joy she experienced living at the lake.  She loved skiing, boating, and swimming, making the best apple pies, sharing her 'Manhattans' with company at the cocktail hour, and watching Jeopardy faithfully. Marie loved to travel, venturing on many trips across the USA and throughout Europe. Her hobbies included gardening, knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, and of course, music. Marie had a beautiful classical singing voice and performed many solos in the choir, at weddings and church affairs.  Always a loving and caring, honest, faithful and strong character, Marie taught all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to believe in themselves and to respect others.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Carolyn Cesare, but is survived by her son-in-law, Julius Cesare of Pawling, New York.  She is also survived by her daughter, Diane Colburn of East Charleston, predeceased by her husband, Richard Colburn, Jr.; by her granddaughter Krista Hogge of East Charleston and her great-granddaughter Solanna Hogge,; by her grandsons Mark Cesare and his wife Jennifer of Raleigh, North Carolina and their son Steven Mozhdehi, his wife, Stephanie and their family; daughter Christiana and her family; daughter Angelina and son Tommy Cesare; Mike Cesare and his wife, Marina of Brewster, N.Y . and their daughter Nicolette; and Matthew Cesare and his wife Patsey of Crystl, Minnesota and their children Clea and Nijah Cesare; niece Barbara Turner and nephew Roger Chappell. Marie is also survived by her step-grandchildren, Sarah Colburn  and her partner Damon Jones of Northfield, VT; Jennifer and Tom Turgeon; David and Alma Colburn; and Jamie and Jason Brochu and their families. Marie is survived as well by her many loving friends and neighbors.

Calling hours will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19th at Curtis Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Rd. Newport. Marie's funeral service will be held at the Plymouth Congregational Church in East Charleston, Thursday the 20 ^th at 10:30 am with Pastor Fred Barker officiating. Interment will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in East Charleston.  Donations may be made to the Ladies Auxiliary of North Country Hospital, or Orleans-Essex VNA Hospice. On-line condolences at curtis-britch.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.