Dorothy Nichols

Dorothy A. Nichols, age 88 of Gibsonia, PA formerly of Sewickley, PA and Rocky River, OH passed on Dec. 24, 2018. Born in Fort Wayne, IN on May 15, 1930 to Charles and Lillian (Shaden) Hirschman. Wife of the late Donald D. Nichols. She is preceded in death by her brother, Howard Hirschman and sisters Catherine Maley and Ilo Oliver. Sister of Eleanor Ackerman of Fort Wayne, IN. Aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. Mother of Brian Nichols of South Euclid, OH and Sandra (Matthew) Cooper of Sewickley, PA. Grandmother of Matthew and Benjamin Cooper.

Dorothy was born in Fort Wayne, IN. She attended Southside High School in Fort Wayne, IN. She graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Wayne, IN in 1951. She married Donald Nichols on Dec. 26, 1953 and they spent the majority of their 60 years together in Rocky River, OH. Dorothy was a role model for selflessness and gratitude. Her calling to nursing matched her perpetual need to help people. Her commitment to love and service was exemplified in the amazing care she provided to her son, Brian. He was born with significant intellectual challenges and lived at home for 30 years before moving into a group home at Rose-Mary Center. Even in her final years at her assisted living, she repositioned pillows and opened doors for her fellow residents who struggled with physical limitations. She never let anyone leave her apartment without a sincere thank you and perhaps a “treat bag” filled with small candies or Rice Krispie treats.

Dorothy was known for her thank you notes. If you had any relationship with her, you received a thank you note of some kind for some reason. As she aged, those notes were often in a “to-do” stack with every intention of completing. She sometimes wanted to write a thank you note for a thank you note that she had received. She was a humble woman who never wanted to receive, she only wanted to give.

Dorothy enjoyed knitting, crocheting, bridge, crossword puzzles, reading, watching tennis, and dining out. But mostly she enjoyed the company of others. She adored both her immediate and extended family. She loved spending time with her daughter and her family. Her grandsons were her greatest pride and joy. She was known as the family historian and was the keeper of the oral history for the family. She will be dearly missed. There is a tender place in the hearts of all that knew her.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 at 3:00 pm at the Sewickley Presbyterian Church at 414 Grant St., Sewickley, PA.  A private burial will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Rose-Mary Center 2346 W. 14th St., Cleveland, OH 44113. www.rose-marycenter.com.  Announcement by Copeland's of Sewickley

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