Nellie Rollins

Nellie MacPherson Rollins, 97, of Forestdale, Rhode Island, died peacefully Saturday, May 16, 2020 in The Friendly Home. She was the wife of the late Gordon MacPherson, and the late Irving Rollins. Born in Sharon, VT, she was the daughter of the late Homer and Maude (Leonard) Moore.

Nellie was born and raised on a dairy farm in Sharon, Vermont. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Nellie saw a cover of LIFE Magazine featuring the newly formed Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) which inspired her to enlist. She served as a Pharmacists Mate in the surgery at the naval base in Davisville, RI until the end of the war.

Nellie returned to Sharon where she met Gordon who was in town to set up a new Boy Scout troop. Within a year they were married. Their lives took them across Vermont and then to Rhode Island where they made their home and raised their 3 sons. Over the years Nellie dedicated her time to family, friends, church and community. An avid square dancer and camper, she and Gordon made lifelong friends while dancing and camping across New England. It was through square dancing that they met Irv Rollins and years later, after both losing their spouses, Nellie and Irv found happiness and married bringing together the MacPherson and Rollins families. Cub Scout den leader, Garden Club and St James Choir member, traveler and wallpaper expert at Mulveys HardwareNellie led a full life, but nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her extended family and being a hands on, down on the floor Grammy.

She leaves her sons, Kerry MacPherson and his wife Trish of Raleigh, NC, Bruce MacPherson and his wife Priscilla of North Smithfield, Bradford MacPherson and his wife Nancy of Wilbraham, MA; her stepson, Rev. Paul Rollins and his wife Joan; her stepdaughter, Jane Tarring and her husband George; ten grandchildren, Doug MacPherson, Erik and Luke MacPherson, Gordon and Ian MacPherson, Jonathan and Andrew Rollins, Amy Tarring Sleep, Kim Tarring Celeste and Eric Tarring and ten great grandchildren along with many beloved family members in central Vermont including her sister in law, Lois Moore. She was predeceased by her stepson, James Rollins; her brothers, Leonard and Elmer Moore; and her sisters, Josephine Leavitt and Olive Whitcomb.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at the Friendly Home who took care of Nellie as if she were family for the past 6 years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nellies memory to The Friendly Home Activity Fund at 303 Rhodes Ave Woonsocket RI 02895

Private funeral arrangements were held under the direction of the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main Street, Woonsocket. www.holtfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nellie Rollins, please visit our floral store.