NELLIE V. WIDMAYER
Secretary to General Groves, Manhattan Project
Nellie V. Widmayer died September 15, 2012. She is survived by her children, Edward (Joyce), Nellie T. Hill, Carol Ann, Jeffrey (Patricia), and Mary A. Landolt (Timothy); 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
Nellie V. Widmayer was born Nellie V. Sanderson, November 23, 1919 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and came to Washington, DC in September 1939. She has lived in Silver Spring since January of 1946.
She worked for the War Department Corps of Engineers mail room from 1939 until 1941, when she transferred to the Manhattan District to work for General Leslie R. Groves. She coordinated with some of the scientific luminaries of the day, including Einstein, Fermi, Oppenheimer, and Smythe. She remained in that position until 1946 when her husband, Edward J. Widmayer, came home after serving in the Pacific with the US Navy 123rd Division Seabees. She received the “Civilian Meritorious Award” for her work on the Manhattan Project.
Mrs. Widmayer belonged to the Ladies of the Moose Chapter 696 of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. She was a founding member of St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church and is now a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church.
Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard, West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Andrew Apostle Church, Arcola Ave and Kemp Mill Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20902 on Friday, September 21, at 10:30 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew Apostle Church.
