Salem….

Beatrice M. "Bea" (Dorval) Nelson, age 88, wife of the late Clarence S. Nelson, Jr. of Lynn, formerly of Salem, died Monday evening with her family by her side in the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers.

Born in Salem the daughter of the late Joseph and Melvina (LaBonte) Dorval, she received her education at the Saltonstall School and was graduated from Salem High School.

She married shortly after her graduation, began a family and was a dedicated wife and homemaker raising her children. Later in life. Mrs. Nelson became employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Personnel Department at One Ashburton Pl in Boston where her many duties included administrating the Civil Service exam for firefighters and police across the Commonwealth. She retired 20 years ago shortly after the death of her late husband.

Mrs. Nelson is survived by three sons Retired Beverly Firefighter Ralph Nelson and his wife Elaine of Beverly, and twins Richard and Paul Nelson both of Lynn; a daughter Linda Ackerman of Salem; 13 grandchildren;28 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

The youngest of four children she was predeceased by her brothers Henry Dorval and two other brothers who both died at a young age; a son Gerald Nelson and three daughters Sharon Robichaud Collins, Claire P. Brown and Jacqueline "Jackie" Johnson.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 8:15 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 9:00 A.M. in St. James Church, 161 Federal St., Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4 to 8 P.M. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to a charity of their choice. For additional information and online guest book visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com. Or call 978 744 0497.