Sylvia N. Nelson, 86, of Gorham passed away Thursday, March 1, 2012 the Gorham House. She was born in Westbrook, the daughter of Hans and Amelia (Sorenson) Nelson.   She was raised in Westbrook and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1942.  She also attended Northeastern Business School in Portland.  She married Kenneth Nelson in 1947 and they settled in Portland where they resided until their retirement, when they moved to Scarborough. She was employed by the Portland Public School Department for twenty years, retiring from the Longfellow School in Portland.  Sylvia was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook.  She also attended the New Life Church in Biddeford and Royal Ridge Church of God in Scarborough.  She had a very strong Christian faith and was active in the churches she belonged to. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed sewing and cooking.  She enjoyed traveling and took many trips with her husband after their retirement. She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth in 1992, and a sister Magna Carlson. Sylvia is survived by two daughter, Carol Shannon and her husband John of Raleigh, NC, and Juli Schoppee and her husband David of Scarborough; a brother Warren Nelson of Westbrook; four grandchildren Rane Peterson, Heather Schoppee, Amy Racz and husband Daniel, and Jessica Schoppee; and a great grandson Elishah David Racz. Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 10 to 11 AM Wednesday, followed by a funeral service at 11 AM at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook.  Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.  On line condolences may be expressed at www.blaisandhayfuneralhome.com. The family of Sylvia Nelson would like to send their appreciation to the Windsor II Unit of the Gorham House for their excellent care and compassion for Sylvia.