Dorothy M. (Nelson) Howland, 84, of Reservoir St., died on Saturday, November 30, 2013, at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. Dorothy was born in Worcester, the daughter of Axel F. and Lillian V. (MacMillan) Nelson and lived in Holden since the age of six.

Dorothy graduated from Holden High School in 1948 and attended Becker College in Worcester. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Holden where she served as a Deacon and was a member of the Women’s Fellowship and Doers Circle. She enjoyed spending time at the Holden Senior Center and participated in their Pen-Pal program. Dorothy’s other interests included playing bingo and cards, making puzzles, reading and traveling.

She is survived and will be lovingly missed by her husband of 63 years, Arthur I. Howland; two sons, Stephen A. Howland and his wife Louise of West Boylston and Craig L. Howland of Kezar Falls Village, Maine; a daughter, Lori H. Drummond and her husband Mark of Livermore Falls, Maine; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces. Dorothy is predeceased by her parents, two brothers, Robert W. and Lewis Nelson, and a sister, Ruth V. Blodgett.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dorothy’s family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral service honoring Dorothy’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 5, at the funeral home with interment following in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of First Baptist Church of Holden, 1216 Main St., Holden, MA 01520; or to the Friends of the Gale Free Library, 23 Highland St., Holden, MA 01520.