A memorial service and celebration of life is planned this Sunday for longtime West Seattle resident Kathleen Nickels, whose obituary and photo are shared by her family:
Kathleen Anne Nickels of Seattle passed away on March 11, 2012 after a heroic 15-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Kathleen Anne McKenney was born July 15, 1929, in Dixon, Illinois. She was the third of five children born to George Jerome McKenney and Helen Bernice Ryan. George worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and Helen was a public-school teacher.
After graduating from Dixon High School, Kathie attended St. Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford and did her residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. While in Chicago she met Robert Nickels and they were married January 23, 1954 in Dixon.
The couple lived first in Chicago, where their first child, Gregory James, was born. In early 1956 they moved to Erie, Pennsylvania where three additional children were born: John Mark, Peter Robert and Amy Beth. Kathleen was very active in church activities in Erie.
The family moved in 1961 to Seattle, Washington, and the family settled first in West Seattle where Kathleen was active in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Guild. After the births of Paul Martin and Thomas Joseph, the family moved to a larger house in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and Kathleen became an active member of St. Joseph’s Parish.
In addition to raising her five sons and sole daughter, Kathleen found time to continue her nursing career at Swedish Hospital, the Stroh allergy clinic and the King County youth detention infirmary. She also operated a small interior decorating business for many years.
Kathleen enjoyed painting, playing the guitar and tennis. She was also active in local politics, chairing the campaign of 43rd District Representative Bill Burns and encouraging her eldest son’s interest in politics. She was a dedicated volunteer and Board Member at the Friends of Harborview Medical Center and helped out at a local methadone treatment facility.
When Kathleen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1997, one of her first acts was to volunteer for medical studies being done by the University of Washington at Seattle’s Veterans Hospital.
Kathleen spent the final seven years of her life in the loving care of the staff at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle. Kathleen was known throughout the Mount for her still undiminished personality, her many walks around the building and her enthusiastic singing.
Kathleen’s beloved husband of 53 years, Robert, passed away in 2007. She was predeceased by her brother, Edward “Bud” McKenney, and is survived by her loving sisters, Mary Wahl, Elizabeth Herrmann, and Helen Reeser. Kathleen is also survived by her six children and their spouses; Tom & Manrita, Paul, Amy & Steve, Pete, Mark, Greg & Sharon; and by 16 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that remembrances be made to the Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation – Kathleen Nickels Music Fund, or the Friends of Harborview.
A Memorial & Celebration of Kathleen’s life will take place on Sunday, March 18, at 1:00 PM at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 4831 35th Avenue SW in West Seattle.
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