Famed local artist
Published May 14, 2020
NORTH READING – Nelda A. Rouillard, 99, of Ft. Myers, Florida, formerly of North Reading, died at the Shell Point Pavilion Nursing Center on May 5, 2020. She was the beloved wife of 58 years to the late Edwin A. Rouillard.
Born in Ephrata, Pennsylvania on April 11, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Lester and Helen (Brunner) Keller. She was raised in a small farmhouse in Clay, Pennsylvania, relocating to Massachusetts after her marriage to Edwin in 1949, and then to North Reading in November of 1953.
She was a resident of North Reading for 56 years before moving to Florida in 2009. During that time, she became a self-taught artist, painting New England landscapes and North Reading landmarks for over five decades, including her famous motif of the North Reading Common. The iconic oak tree and the building on the common were captured on barrel staves, Christmas ornaments and many other keepsakes. Many of her paintings adorn the walls of residents and local buildings throughout the town.
In addition to being an accomplished artist, she was a pre-school teacher, a puppeteer who created her own marionettes and dolls for performances to local school children, and later became a published author, writing a children’s book, “Papa’s Red Britches,” which was a legend of how a tract of land traded for Papa Upton’s red riding britches became what is known as North Reading today.
After moving to Florida she continued to paint, capturing the beautiful tropical beaches and landscapes of southern Florida. She was a calm and loving soul who took the nature and beauty around her and transformed them into keepsakes for generations to come. She was just a beautiful person who made a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
She was the loving mother of Stephen E. Rouillard and his wife Teresa of Bonita Springs, Florida, and Ronald L. Rouillard and his wife Jennifer of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. She was the cherished grandmother of Ryan, Stephanie, Joshua and Molly Rouillard, and a great-grandmother of eight.
Due to the current situation a memorial service will be held on a later date. The Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
