Obituary of Barbara Pearl Nelson

Barbara Nelson passed away August 3, 2019, at Maine Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones. Her passing was due to complications from injuries sustained in an auto accident on August 21, 2018, which led to extended hospital stays in the past year. She was born on September 13, 1934 in Rockland, Maine to Henry and Marguerite Tibbetts Harriman. Barbara grew up in Warren and Thomaston and attended Thomaston High School. The community will remember her best as the Proprietor of Hollydachs Pet Center in Rockland. Hollydachs was established in 1973 by herself and Dexter J. Nelson, Sr. and was a fixture at 250 Main Street for 37 years. She loved all animals, but her professional passion were the dachshunds she raised and showed in the 1980’s. During her years of showing she was proudest of earning The American, as well as, Canadian Kennel Club Championships with her beloved breeding sire “Punch”. When she retired from showing dogs, she focused her attention on Hollydachs. She was Hollydachs. She couldn’t walk through a local establishment without someone wanting to “catch up” or asking for her advice on some pet related issue. This continued well after she retired from the business. She truly enjoyed serving the generations of families that came through her store. She especially enjoyed watching her own children, grandchildren and most of her nieces work and grow alongside her during these years. Barbara took her responsibility to community very seriously. Her work ethic was second to none. She opened the doors to Hollydachs almost every day of the year, for the 37 years it operated. She would welcome “customers” into her own home, or visit theirs, without a second thought. Her personal passion was family. If you were her child, or in her child’s universe, she was your biggest cheerleader and fiercest advocate. If you were part of her extended family of Sisters, Grand Children, Great Grand Children, Nieces and Nephews you also found yourself a part of this devoted circle. Her “adopted” family, those who worked with her over the years, also felt her compassion and protection. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, a niece Dawn Micue Harris, an infant granddaughter and an infant nephew, and a close cousin Donna Drinkwater. She was a big presence in the lives of her family and her passing leaves a huge void in the lives of her loved ones. She will be more than sadly missed by Dexter, and her loving children Debbi Nelson Benner, Kim Nelson Slocomb, Skip Nelson, Teresa Stein Horner and her partner Wayne; sisters Judy Micue and Adreane Winchenbach; grandchildren Misti Benner Day and her husband Justin, Paul Roemer and Jesse Benner; her great-grand children Logan Roemer, Zofie Day and Izzie Roemer. Her nieces Darla Mansfield and husband Scott, and Ranae Robbins; her great-nieces Heather Mansfield and partner Chris Cushman, Amber Kennedy and her husband Thomas, great-nephews Sammy Harris, Alex Harris and Garrett Robbins, great-great niece Kera Griffin; great-great nephews, Tucker Dehlanger, and Zander Cushman and the Hilt family of cousins, plus “special family” the Reeds. There will be a private graveside service for family. Memorial contributions may be made to Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294 Rockland, ME 04841, in Barbara Nelson, or Hollydachs Pet Centers name.