(Rita) Grace McCarthy Nelson
The Nelson Family (summer 2001)
Rita Grace, 1916 -1989, aged 73
Grace was the eighth child of Vince and Jenny McCarthy. Like her brothers and sisters she played softball and was a star centre fielder. Another sportswoman, Grace was a star centrefielder for the Keene Women’s Baseball team. A newspaper clipping of the early l930s states: A home run by Grace McCarthy, star centre fielder for Keene, gave the village maidens a 7-5 victory over Westclox in the second game of the Peterborough and District Ladies’ Softball League championship before 1,500 fans. Grace was offered a job at the Canadian General Electric because she was a very good player, and played for the CGE Women’s Softball League. Grace worked at CGE for $15.00 a week and paid $5.00 for room and board in Peterborough.
In 1936, she married Gordon Thomas Nelson, 1912. Gordon joined the RCAF and later was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was a mechanic by trade and owned a service station in the village of Keene for many years. He retired in 1976 from Fred Nelson and Sons where he had worked before he retired. Gordon was the first Fire Chief in Otonabee.
The Nelsons opened their home to Grace’s sisters, Bertha and family, Marlyn and family for periods of time. Loretta also boarded with the Nelsons when she worked at Taylor’s Store in Keene. Grace and Gordon were both avid curlers.
Grace always took an active interest in the community. She was a lifetime member of St. John’s Church in Keene and a member of the CWL. She always enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens. During the summer, she was usually found working in the garden before 6 a.m. before it was hot. Grace had one of the nicest and largest vegetable gardens in Keene and for many years provided flowers for the altar at St. John’s.
An avid hockey fan, she took an active role in local minor hockey. The OMHL recognized her contribution over the years and she twice received Awards of Appreciation. Grace was also a leader in 4H. She always enjoyed a game of bridge and collected stamps as a hobby.
Both Gordon and Grace greatly enjoyed their grandchildren and were very proud of all their accomplishments, big or small. In the summer Grannie was often digging worms to go fishing with the little ones and Gramp frequently took the grandchildren on a “trip around the world” while giving them an opportunity to steer the car.
Grace died in 1989 after a long battle with cancer. Gordon also died of cancer at age 80 in 1992. They are both buried in St. Peters Cemetery in Peterborough.
Grace and Gordon had five children:
