Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Anna Marie Nicholson

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.