Saratoga Springs, NY - Mary L. Nielsen, who recently resided at the Otsego Manor in Cooperstown, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2011, after a brief illness. She was 88. Previously she had lived in Cherry Valley, Saratoga Springs, and Oneonta. She was born in Saratoga Springs on October 13, 1923, the daughter of the late Edward Lazott and Alice Dunphy Lazott. An only child in an otherwise large extended family, she was cherished by her elders, and always remained close to her beloved cousins, Joseph Fennell, the late Michael Rogers, Rita Rogers Whitney and Mary Rogers Belle Isle. Mary graduated from Saratoga High School in 1941, having distinguished herself academically and through her work on various school publications (chiefly the Recorder and the Oratoga), and went on to attend the College of Saint Rose and Mildred Elley School of Business,both in Albany. She did secretarial work in Saratoga Springs and Schenectady, and in 1950 she married Arthur G. Dudley, who predeceased her in 1997. After she and her family relocated to Oneonta in 1962, Mary went to work for the City of Oneonta Schools Department, where she served as Business Manager. Her first marriage ended in divorce, and in 1973 she married Neil R. Nielsen, for whose general contracting business she served as Bookkeeper. Mary was a keen bridge player and, along with her husband, an avid and enthusiastic golfer. She was predeceased by her husband in 1992, and during a large portion of her later years Mary settled in Saratoga Springs to be close to her adored grandchildren, Julia M. Dudley, now of Cherry Valley, and Nicholas N. Close. She is survived by her grandchildren; her son and his wife, Art and Janet Dudley of Cherry Valley; her daughter, Suzanne E. Dudley of Albany; her close friends, especially Betty Molinari of Elmira, NY and her beloved cousins and many nieces, nephews, and other family members. Marys sharp wit and incomparably loving, caring presence will be forever missed by all who knew her. Relatives and friends may call from 8:30am to 9:30am Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373. ) A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at10am at St. Clements Church, 231 Lake Ave. Burial in the family plot will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, West Ave. Donations may be made to the charity of ones choice. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.