Obituary of Barbara Ann Houle-Nelson

Barbara Ann (Comeau) Houle-Nelson 60 years, wife of Thomas J. Nelson and wife the late Donald J. Houle, died Wednesday at the Kindred Hospital in Peabody after suffering a stroke at her home 10 days ago. Mrs. Houle-Nelson was born May 14, 1944 in Salem daughter of Bernadette C. (Denis) Comeau and the late Arthur J. Comeau. She was raised in Salem and graduated from Salem High School class of 1962. She then attended the Essex Aggie hairdressing school and later pursued her education by taking night courses at Salem State College.She has been residing in Peabody since 1969. Mrs. Houle-Nelson began her working career with Parker Bros. in Salem in the shipping and receiving department and then at their Beverly headquarters until it’ s closing. She was then employed for several years at Salem State College in the same capacity until her retirement in 2002. For the past 1 ½ year her life was especially devoted to her granddaughter Mia and her family. She was a faithful Patriots fan, enjoyed going to the Foxwood Casino in CT and walking on ocean beaches while admiring nature. She also had a special love for listening to music and watching movies. In addition to her husband and mother she is survived by 2 daughters, Debbie D.M. Houle- Dominguez and her companion David Lefebre of Peabody, Lisa M. and her husband Frederick Wheeler of Gloucester; 2 brothers and a sister-in-law, Richard Comeau, Robert and Lucille Comeau all of Amesbury; a sister and her husband, Janice and John Urbanski of Peabody; 3 grandchildren, Mia Wheeler of Gloucester, Sarah Nelson of Brookfield and Marc Garrard of SC; 3 stepchildren, Melanie Nelson of SC, Scott Nelson of Shrewsbury and Sean Nelson of Webster and several nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of late Janet M. Riley. Her funeral will be held Monday at 10 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St., Peabody location followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Sunday 3 - 7 p.m. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central New England, 101A First Ave. Suite 6, Waltham MA 02451-1115.