Background
She was born in West Medford, Massachusetts, the daughter of William and Anatasia (Mahoney) Neilson.
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She was born in West Medford, Massachusetts, the daughter of William and Anatasia (Mahoney) Neilson.
She graduated from Medford High School in Medford, Massachusetts. She then attended Boston Bouve College and Northeastern University. She graduated from Boston University with a doctorate in education.
Neilson began her teaching career at the Brimmer May School in Chestnut Hill, Brookline, Massachusetts, followed by teaching in the Medford Public Schools for several years. She subsequently joined the faculty of Lowell State College where she became a full professor, then went to Boston College where she became professor and chair in the Department of Health and Physical Education for several years. Her last academic position was at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio where she was Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Sciences.
She was the coauthor of numerous health textbooks and teachers’ guides.
She was active in the American School Health Association (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) holding numerous positions including service on the Membership Committee, Governing Council, National Advisory Council, and the Editorial Board of the Journal of School Health. In 1968 she became President of the American School Health Association.
She served on the board of directors for the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the National Mental Health Association, the Massachusetts Cancer Society, the Middlesex Tuberculosis and Health Association, and the March Against Dental Disease Foundation. She was awarded fellowships in the American School Health Association, the National Honor Society for Women in Education, Pi Lambda Theta, and the Royal Society for Health.
She was also a member of the National Alumni Council of Boston University.