Jean S. Nelson, 99, of Havercamp Rd., Sherman, New York, passed away on July 11, 2019 at Absolut Care in Westfield. She was the beloved wife of Joseph L. Nelson.

Born July 8, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio to Harold C and Nellie Herbert Steffens, Jean graduated from Cleveland Heights High School, and lived in Cleveland Heights and Chagrin Falls, Ohio during her early years and first marriage to Nelson H. Otis. She moved to Chautauqua, New York full-time in 1969. It was in Chautauqua that she met her second husband, Joseph, to whom she was married the last 49 years.

Jean had innumerable talents and hobbies, and there is nothing she undertook that she didn't learn to do well. She played piano most of her life, and mastered classical pieces, ragtime, popular music and hymns alike. She also played the organ, guitar, bagpipes, and country fiddle.

Some of her other passions included golf, sailing and skiing. Jean was an avid gardener and adventuresome cook. Over the years she involved herself in many diverse arts and crafts. Jean was also a skilled seamstress, and sewed beautiful clothing, as well as innovative quilts. She truly was never bored.

An abiding love of animals of all kinds was one of Jean's defining hallmarks. She enjoyed her pets immensely, and in the past raised pug dogs, goats and chickens. It was a lucky stray dog or cat that landed on her doorstep. Many animal organizations benefited from her charity during her lifetime.

Until a few years ago, Jean was a member of the North Harmony Senior Center's RSVP group, and she contributed countless knitted hats and other items to their cause.

A strongly independent, active and resourceful woman, Jean was an artist at heart, thrifty by nature due to her upbringing during the Great Depression, and never happier than when in her own home working on a new creative project. She was able to stay in her home until March, when a fall necessitated a move to Absolut Care in Westfield.

Jean is survived by her husband, Joseph L. Nelson of Sherman, NY; her six children: Barbara (Robert) Davis of Slippery Rock, PA; Diana Kutz of La Belle, FL; William (Beverly) Otis of Kinsman, OH; Pamela (Park) Morton of Burton, OH; Margaret Crnkovich of Lancaster, PA; and Gwen Otis Smith of Magnolia, TX; her stepson, Joseph L. Nelson III; eight grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, William Steffens, and a sister, Betty Dobbins.

There will be no visitation or services at this time. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Sherman Fire Department (Stanley Hose Co. 1, 122 Park St., Sherman, NY 14781) or to the Ashville Fire Department (533B Stow Road, Ashville, NY 14710).

To leave a remembrance or post a condolence to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com