Joan M. (Nelson) Maher, age 70, beloved wife of 49 years of David Maher, died Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at Lahey Clinic in Burlington following a brief illness. She was born in Lowell, August 31, 1941, the daughter of the late Conrad and Margaret (Neal) Nelson and lived in Malden prior to moving to Billerica 44 years ago. Mrs. Maher enjoyed craft shows and traveling. She cherished spending time with her family, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed annual trips to York Beach, Maine, with her brother Edward and his wife Pauline. Every year her favorite holiday family event was the Smorgasbord, a tradition started by her late father Conrad. Besides her husband she is survived by one son, Steven Maher of Salisbury, one daughter, Barbara Maher of Billerica, one brother Edward C. Nelson of Saugus, and her grandchildren, Andrew Hughes of Manchester, NH, and Brenden and Michela Spicer, both of Billerica.