GLENDALE, Ariz. — Jean Helen Nichols, a longtime Glendale, Arizona resident, living at the Glencroft Care Facility went to be with the Lord on December 7, 2013, following a battle with multiple myeloma. She was 89 years old at the time of her passing.
Born on October 19, 1925 in Greenfield Center, she is the daughter of the late Fred and Madeline (Ebert) Braim and is the second eldest of five siblings; Bob (deceased), Louis, Louise and Joe Braim.
An honors graduate from St. Peters Academy in Saratoga Springs, in 1944 she married the late Walter H. Nichols. Widowed at an early age, she went on to raise her three children, James, Daniel and Karen to adulthood, as a single parent. She resided in Greenfield Center and Saratoga Springs until the mid-1980s when she moved to Glendale.
Her many jobs included seamstress for the now defunct Van Raalte clothing factory, assembly line worker in General Foods’ carton and container factory and as a library assistant at the NY State Library in Albany, among others.
She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, almost any type of family activity and traveling, having had the opportunity to visit Mexico, France, England, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany in her lifetime.
Upon her retirement and move to Arizona, Jean became an avid volunteer. She worked with the Foundation for Senior Living, the Glendale Senior Center, Thunderbird Hospital and devoted many hours of volunteer work for her long-time residence, Manistee Manor in Glendale. Her Catholic faith sustained her through her long life. Her son, Judge James R. Nichols Sr., died June 4, 2014 and his wife Carol Nichols, died on August 14, 2009.
Despite a severe hearing loss acquired in early childhood and deteriorating vision in later years, numerous health issues over the years and challenges that might have hardened a less hardy spirit, Jean was an unfailingly cheerful, compassionate and giving soul until her final breath.
Survivors include her siblings, Louis, Louise and Joe Braim; numerous nieces and nephews; grandson, James (wife, Marla Jo) Nichols Jr, and a great-grandson, Justin; her granddaughter, Michelle Nichols-Smith (son Dan’s daughter), and great-grandchildren, Dylan, Steven and Johnathan, all of NY state; her daughter, Karen and her husband Mike Micele, granddaughter Danielle and her husband Richard Aniszko, grandson Erik and his wife Sara Jorgensen and great-grandchildren Aaron, Zachery, Houston Jorgensen, Alexandra, Braydon, Macy and Becker, all of Michigan; her son, Dan Nichols, grandson Damian Nichols, his wife Michelle and their children Jill, Danny and Taylor, all of Arizona.
Relatives and friends may attend a memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21 at the Burke/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY and burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.
The family recommends for those inclined, that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona or any hospice facility of one's choice, in Jean’s name and in lieu of flowers. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.
