In Loving memory of Mary C. Nelson, 79, of Avenue, Maryland, who passed away at Washington Hospital Center with her family by her side on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Known to her family and friends as Cely, she was born December 3, 1931 in Palmers, Maryland.

She was the daughter of the late George Edward and Grace Cecelia Herd Brown. Cely was preceded in death by her brothers John T. Brown and infant baby Brown.

Cely is survived by her husband, John Nelson, her children, Speedy Nelson (Barbara Sue), Angela Nelson, Mary Wetzel (Paul), Sandra Nelson (Mark Miedzinski), her brothers and sisters, Joe Brown, George Brown, Sam Brown, Andy Brown, Rose Beitzell, Susan Tippett, her grandchildren, J.A. Nelson (Candice), Grace Rice (Jason), Laura Lugo (Raul), James Bailey, Gregg Trent (Tamara), Sallie Wetzel, Kristen Wetzel, Lucas LeJune, Jacob LeJune, Michael Miedzinski (Staci), Amber Miedzinski, Kristina Miedzinski, and her great grandchildren, Ian, Destiny, Makenna, Emma, Baby Rice, Zyra and Allie.

Cely loved spending time with all of her family especially her great grandchildren. She was a lifelong member of Holy Angels Church in Avenue, Maryland. She enjoyed spending her time at the church as a member of the Alter Society. Cely was also the acting Vice President of the Auxiliary of the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department. She could always be found either at the church decorating and cleaning or at the firehouse getting the kitchen prepared for an event. In her career, Cely was a food service worker with the St. Mary's County Public Schools and at St. Mary's Hospital.

The family will receive friends for Cely's Life Celebration on Friday, May 13, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 5 :00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 21340 Colton's Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. and Seventh District Fire Department Auxiliary Prayers will be recited at 7:15 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Angels Church on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with cemetery services to follow at Saint Francis Xavier.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 206, Avenue, MD 20609, the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609 or Holy Angels Church, 21340 Coltons Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.