Submitted by: Dan Rich
Feb. 2, 1918 - Dec. 24, 2007
South Bend Tribune 1/3/2008
NEW CARLISLE - Anna Marie Nicholson, 89, beloved daughter
of Adeline Jackson McCurdy Nicholson and Mark Elwood
Nicholson, died in New Carlisle on Dec. 24, 2007, returning to
the Lord. Her parents preceded her in death. Born in Camden, NJ,
on Feb. 23, 1918, "Anne," as she was known to many
friends, and "Rea," a pet name given her by her nieces
and nephews, was a longtime west side resident of South Bend, IN.
Prior to her protracted illness, she had been a member of Epworth
United Methodist Church, South Bend, IN, and sang in the choir.
She and her family had previously lived in Camden, NJ, and the
South Shore area of Chicago, and she was a graduate of a South
Shore area high school. Following school she worked in a bank in
Chicago. When she and her family moved to South Bend she
successfully worked in several different jobs including her
brother-in-law's business, Elmer Gumz Farms, Inc., the Bendix
Corporation and The Associates, finishing her working career
first as the sales assistant and then as the manager of the Town
and Country Camera Store in South Bend. In addition to singing in
the choir of her church, Rea enjoyed being with her family, who
were very close, gardening, reading, volunteering for the local
Republican Party, and occasional travel with friends and family.
Most importantly, she helped her family for many years, taking
care of her father, mother and sister when they became ill. Anna
Marie was the sister of Helen Mar Nicholson Gumz, Mark and
Howard Nicholson, and sister-in-law of Helen Gumz Nicholson,
Loraine Ashley Nicholson and Elmer Otto Gumz, all of whom
pre-deceased her. Rea was the aunt of Stephen Elwood Gumz,
(Sharon Lea Reber) Lynda Mar Gumz Condon, (James M.
Condon) Diane Evelyn Nicholson Starr, and Debra Ann
Nicholson Corcoran, (Leslie Corcoran) and Carol May Nicholson Kriegel.
She had eight great-nieces and nephews, Kimberlie Lynn Gumz Fixx
(Stephen), Gretchen Marie Gumz Husband (Robert), Christopher
Stephen Gumz, Neil Elwood Gumz (Mary), Ashley Nicholson Monroe
(Zach), and Anna Nicholson (named after her great-aunt), Jason
and Lindsay Starr, and Colleen Mar Condon. She also enjoyed her
four great-great-nephews, James and Garrett Fix, Robbie
and Lucas Husband. She had many friends, most of whom had
predeceased her. Rea and her sister Helen adored their cat,
Chubby, whom they "inherited" from Lynda Mar. Anna
Marie will always be missed by us, but we are very grateful for
her presence in our lives for so long.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the
kind and dedicated staff at Hamilton Grove Nursing Home in New
Carlisle, IN, for the care given to Anna Marie during her
declining years. Memorial contributions may be made to the
Alzheimer's Association. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday,
Jan. 4, in the Palmer Funeral Home, River Park, 2528 Mishawaka
Ave., South Bend, with a gathering at noon. Interment will be at
St. Joseph Valley Cemetery, Granger, IN.