Joan D. "Grammy" Nelson YOUNGSTOWN - "Those smiling blue Irish eyes we all knew and loved, now look upon us from Heaven above," with the passing of Joan Doris (Toomey) Nelson, who died Nov. 20, at Hospice House in Poland. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating her life will be conducted by the Rev. Edward P. Noga at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at St. Patrick Church in Youngstown, which was so special to her. Joan was born March 12, 1931, to Joseph and Abigail (Gilbride) Toomey in Cleveland. The family relocated to Youngstown. In Youngstown, she attended St. Patrick School and graduated from South High School in 1950. Over the years she worked at G.C. Murphy Co. with her dear friend, the late Mary Lou Spencer and St. Patrick School. She was primarily a homemaker and the best mom in the world. On June 4, 1955, she married the love of her life, that tall drink of water, the late Richard A. Nelson Sr., with whom she had six children, Richard Jr. (Brenda), Kitty (Robert) Wiscott, Joseph (Lorrie), John (Julie), Susan (John) Ragan, and George (Ada). She loved and was loved by her 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing time and imparting her knowledge with all of them. She also enjoyed special relationships with her nephew, Thomas Blood, and her niece, Doris Schurell, whom she helped raise. She was a member of St. Patrick Church Altar Guild, serving as a past president, and the Church Bereavement Committee, and volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul Society, Community Corrections Association and the office of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. In addition to volunteering, and going on special errands of mercy with her partners-in-crime, Doris Farrell and the late Patricia Kester, she enjoyed ceramics classes, puzzles, cooking, and was known especially for her potato salad and greasy noodles. She also enjoyed crocheting and reading, but mostly relished spending time with her friends and growing family. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, James and Thomas; her sisters, Marjorie Danko, Rhea Blood, Elizabeth Toomey, Katherine Howells, and Patricia Bouslough; her granddaughter, Holly Nelson; and special niece, Charolette Danko. Friends may call on the family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, at the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home in Boardman, which handled the arrangements, and at St. Patrick Church from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday. Material contributions may be made in Joan's memory to Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, OH or to St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill, Youngstown OH 44507.