Obituaries/Viewings
Shirley J. Nicklas | 89
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Shirley J. Nicklas, a lifelong resident of St. Marys, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh after a series of health complications at the age of 89.
Shirley was born on January 14, 1934 in St. Marys, a daughter of the late Joseph and Alvina (Wolf) Schreiber.
Shirley attended St. Marys Public High School and graduated as an honor roll student in 1952. She met Lawrence J. Nicklas Jr., her future husband, in 1949. The couple married on October 25, 1952 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last fall.
During her lifetime Shirley held many occupations, including Secretary to the St. Marys Borough Manager (1968 – 1993) and Secretary to the St. Marys City Manager (1994 – 2009.) She also provided secretarial services for the Redevelopment Authority, Shade Tree Commission, Historical Society of St. Marys, Parking Authority, Airport Authority, Health Board, and Police Civil Service Commission. Shirley retired in 2009 after 41 years of service to the City.
Shirley was a well-known local artist, creating hundreds of paintings and participating in many art shows throughout the area. She is best known for her “Decker’s Chapel” painting and her nine “Marienstadt Collection” postcards. She encouraged creativity in those around her, too, as she was the program and gallery coordinator for the “Aspiring Artists Program” held at Pinecrest Manor from 2005 until 2015.
Shirley is survived by her husband Lawrence J. Nicklas Jr.; her daughters Debby (Daniel Taylor) and Darlene Lynch, both of St. Marys; her four grandchildren: Cary (Haitham) of Port Matilda, Corry (Kristen) of Ridgway, and Alyson and Nicklas Lynch, both of St. Marys; and one great-granddaughter, Rylee. She will be fondly remembered as a loving, kind, and caring wife, mom, grammy, and great-grammy.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her sister Doris Schatz in 2015. Shirley was the last living member of her immediate family.
A visitation will be held for family and friends at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 12:00PM until the time of service.
A funeral service will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 1:00PM with the Rev. Thomas Curry, OSB, officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 302, St. Marys, PA 15857, Elk County Humane Society, 1029 E. Eschbach Road, St. Marys, PA 15857, Gallery 29, 50 S. St. Marys Street, St. Marys, PA 15857, or ECCOTA, 237 Main Street, Ridgway, PA 15853.
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Dear Debbie, Darlene and family,
It is with a heavy heart that I sit here and write this letter of condolence. No words that I write can ease the pain and sorrow that you are feeling today. I do pray that the Lord rests his hand on your shoulder and fills your heart and comforts each of you. Your Mom, is not really gone, but gone on before, to join her Sister, her Mom and Dad, and all the others that have gone on before, anxiously awaiting her arrival.
We don’t understand the peace that she is resting in today, all we know is how much she will be missed. If we truly believe in God, then we truly believe that we will see her once again. Know today that her pains of these earthly bounds are behind her now, walking with the Angels in Heaven.
Although I spent the major portion of my life away from home, I did enjoy the times I got to spend with your Mother. Our memories of all of the yesterdays that we had, is all that’s left to linger on, but, our memories are very vivid and very powerful. Build a castle in your mind and fill it with all the fond memories you acquired along with her, in her journey of life. Visit the castle often, and while there, laugh a little, cry a little, but never be sad, because she’s always there, and will be waiting patiently until we all walk together again, hand in hand.
We pray that your sorrow is short lived and your celebration of her life lives on forever in your minds and in your hearts.
There’s a song I listen to in times of sorrow, and if you will, take a listen, and listen to the words. Remember, She’s not really gone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnR9dDdQ0lQ