Obituary of Janet A. Nelson Nickerson

Janet A. Nelson Nickerson was born December 18, 1938 in Cornwall, New York. She was the only beloved daughter of Ernest and Mildred Haas Luedtke. Her parents were from Kingston, NY; Janet was the last descendent of the Haas family to remember “life in the family home” on Ravine Street, Kingston during the last four generations. Janet enjoyed family life and was very close to her relatives. She maintained regular contact with all of them. When her mother was no longer able to live alone following the death of Ernie, she had an addition built on her home for her mother for whom she cared for 22 years. Janet attended Liberty Street School, Newburgh through the fifth grade when the family moved to Cornwall where her parents built their home on Hickory St. She entered Cornwall High School, graduating in 1956. Upon graduation she began employment at Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, Newburgh. In 1959 she married James W. Nelson, Newburgh. Their son, Jonathan was born on his mother’s birthday in 1962. They built their home in New Windsor where Janet continued to reside until October 2021 when she relocated to Glen Arden in Goshen, NY. She taught her many piano-organ students with care, patience, more recently on Zoom until the time of her death. Janet was a well-known organist and pianist. Her early piano study began at age 5 with Margaret Sears Fletcher, Newburgh. Upon moving to Cornwall she continued piano lessons and began early organ study with Virginia Paine. Upon Miss Paine’s fatal car accident, Mr. Luedtke secured William Johnson, Newburgh as Janet’s teacher. Mr. Johnson quickly recognized Janet’s talents and introduced her to various church organs where she began her organ career. In 1957 Mr. Johnson died as a result of a tragic accident. She then continued her sacred organ lessons with Dr. Thurston Dox, Goshen until he relocated to Hartwick College, Oneonta. Her lessons continued with Dr. John A. Davis, Cadet Chapel, West Point. Janet also began advanced lessons in theater organ styles and improvisation with the famed theatre organist and accompanist for radio soap operas and TV shows; Rosa Rio, New York City. There were weekly trips to both teachers. In 1970 she entered the Guilmant Organ School, NYC, where she studied sacred organ music/choir directing and private organ study with Dr. George A. Markey. Through the years she has served at various churches as organist and choir director. Her first position in 1955 was at Mountainville Methodist Church, then served as substitute in various Hudson Valley churches. Janet then accepted the positions as organist/choir director at Union Presbyterian Church, Newburgh (1958-1970, 1981-1991); First Presbyterian Church, Goshen (1970-1975); St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Middletown (1975-1981); King of King’s Lutheran, New Windsor (1995-present). From 1960-1963 Janet was accompanist for the Classical Choral Society. She was also featured in many solo recitals and as accompanist for soloists both locally and in New York City. She has also served as organist at various Hudson Valley churches for countless weddings and funerals. When Jonathan entered kindergarten, Janet enrolled in Mt. St. Mary College, Newburgh. She continued on a part-time basis until she enrolled at Guilmant. Several years later she returned to the Mount and graduated in 1980 with a BA in Psychology. In addition to her church work, teaching and college studies, Janet was employed by the Town of New Windsor (1970-1974); Orange County Department of Social Services (1974-1999) when she retired. Her career began as an entry level clerk and advanced through the ranks to Sr. Caseworker and Case Supervisor in Child Protective Services. Her years of service were completed in Newburgh. During the remainder of her life she continued her musical career even as she battled pancreatic cancer for the past few years. Janet served on the Board of the Newburgh Chapter of the American Cross. She was a member of Mt. St. Mary Alumni Assoc., having served as its secretary and later Chairman (1994-1996). She continued to be an active NYS certified organ/piano teacher of Hudson-Catskill Music Teacher’s Assoc. (NYSMTA) having served three terms as chairperson and co-chair. She was a member of King of Kings Lutheran Church, New Windsor, Central Hudson Valley Chapter of American Guild of Organists where she received the Distinguished Membership Award in 2019 and Temple Star Chapter #286 Order of the Eastern Star. Janet and her husband Donald Nickerson whom she married in 1991, enjoyed their yearly two weeks of vacation on Cape Cod and trips to Maine to visit with Donald’s children and grandchildren. There were also several cruises to the Caribbean and Nova Scotia. Janet often called her various friends for the past 75 years just to keep in contact; spent many hours writing notes and sending cards. She was delighted in seeing her family whom she loved so dearly. She could be described as a loving, caring, forgiving perfectionist in every task she undertook. She was pre-deceased by her parents (1982 and 2009), her loving husband Donald (2013) and her former husband James W. Nelson (2019). She is survived by her beloved family, including her son, Jonathan and his wife Diana, grandsons Jonathan Nelson II and his wife, Amanda, Timothy Nelson and fiancé, Nicole Norton, great granddaughters, Summer Marie, Aubrie Lynn, Mackenzie Rachelle, Peyton Elizabeth, stepdaughter Betsy Dreves and family of Lebanon, Maine and stepson Bruce Nickerson (Aline) and family of Hallowell, Maine. In lieu of flowers, Janet would like to be remembered with donations to King of Kings Lutheran Church, 543 Union Ave., New Windsor, NY 12553. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, May 10th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 543 Union Ave., New Windsor, NY 12553. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 11th at 10 am at King of Kings Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the family plot at Montrepose Cemetery, Kingston, New York.