Agnes L. Nessen, 97, Was Well-Known Artist

Agnes L. (McCarthy) Nessen, 97, of Lincoln, died Sunday, Oct. 24 at Meadow Green Nursing Home in Waltham. She was the wife of Richard E. Nessen.

Born in Cambridge on June 9, 1907, she was the daughter of the late Dennis and Elizabeth (Doyle) McCarthy. She attended Cambridge public schools, graduated from Cambridge High School and Vesper George Art School in Boston.

In 1934 Mrs. Nessen worked as a buyer of better dresses at Filene's Department Store in Boston. From 1950 until her retirement in 1978, Mrs. Nessen joined with her husband as a merchandiser at the Country Flair stores which were located in Concord, Lexington, Needham, Framingham and Belmont.

An accredited artist, she was well known for her oil paintings and was a member of the Concord Art Association.

She has been a resident of Lincoln since 1972 and for many years summered in Vineyard Haven where she was an artist-in-residence.

In addition to her husband, Richard, she is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Bradshaw Heiligmann of Lexington, a son, Arthur F. (Peter) Watson of Harwichport, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was also the sister of the late Marie, John, Joe and Arthur McCarthy.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 28 followed by a funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church in Lincoln. Interment was in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Joseph's Church, care of St. Julia's Parish, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA 02493.