Isabel "Betty" M. (Esposito) Nelson

Isabel “Betty” Nelson, age 99, of Fairfield (OH), passed away peacefully at her home on December 29, 2020. Betty was born on November 20, 1921, in the small village of Noepoli (Provence de Potenza, Italy) to the late Giuseppe and Angelina (Romano) Esposito. After immigrating to the United States in 1926, the family settled near Steubenville, Ohio. It was there, in front of the public library, that Betty met the love of her life, Howard Benjamin Nelson. While her husband was serving overseas during World War II, Betty supported the war efforts at home by working in a steel mill. Howard preceded her in death in 2001, after 55 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by two sisters; Rose (Esposito) McDonald, Josephine (Esposito) Toriscelli, and a brother; Anthony Esposito. Betty was a devoted mother that loved her children immensely. She was preceded in death by her cherished daughter, Donna Marie McAtee in 2019. Betty is survived by her two dedicated sons, David (Linda) Nelson of Fairfield (OH) and Howard (Linda) Nelson of Richmond (VA); 8 beloved grandchildren, Nikki-Lynn (Matt) Hetterich, Dan McAtee, Christina (Jeremy) Toulouse, Meredith Nelson Noe, Joshua (Alyssa) Nelson, Jamie Nelson, Julie (Jordan) Inge, and Jessica Nelson; and 12 precious great-grandchildren, Samantha, Johnathan, and Christopher Hetterich, Kayla and Seth McAtee, Emma (Justin) Lewis, Grace and Charlie Toulouse, Brayden Raad, Margaret Noe, Carson and Levi Inge; and Betty is also survived by her loving sister, Theresa Marker Reese; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Betty enjoyed attending Fairfield Church of Christ, where she could be found in the same seat on any given Sunday, surrounded by family. Grandma Betty will be fondly remembered for many things, including her sultry singing voice (at all hours of the night), her purse that was never far from sight, and the curler that was always holding place on her forehead. In the words of Grandma Betty, “Buona Sera...Buona Sera...” (Good night in Italian) The family will hold a small, private memorial at Avance Funeral Home followed by a chapel service at Union Cemetery in Steubenville, Ohio.