Obituary of Jean Marie McNICHOL (nee Nixon)

January 23, 1928 - Battram, Saskatchewan
February 18, 2020 - Calgary, Alberta

Jean McNichol of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at the age of 92.

Jean was born on January 23, 1928, in Battrum, SK, and grew up in the neighbouring town of Abbey, where she attended elementary and high school. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Saskatoon City Hospital in 1949 and married Merrill later that year. They farmed in Richlea, SK, for five years before moving to Regina where they raised their four children. They then lived in Saskatoon, Outlook and Nanaimo before settling in Calgary in 2011. For twenty-five years, they enjoyed wintering in Mesa, AZ.

Jean was a lovely person with a warm heart who enjoyed her family and friends. She chose to be a stay at home mom to be with her family. She was an excellent homemaker and kept busy in her early married years sewing for her little girls, and taking care of her young son. She was an enthusiastic curler in her Richlea, Regina and Saskatoon days.  Merrill and Jean also enjoyed golfing together and with friends. Jean was an avid bridge player, a skill she took with her from one community to another. When the children were grown, Jean and Merrill travelled extensively. They toured Europe with friends for their twenty-fifth anniversary and went on many cruises, including a memorable cruise to Alaska with their children and spouses.

Jean is survived by her loving husband of seventy years, Merrill; their four children, Deborah Scott (John), Barbara McNichol (Byron Patton), Lesley Stamatinos (John), and Douglas McNichol (Joanne); and she was very proud of her nine grandchildren, Iain, Michelle, Lesley (Norm), Michael (Stephanie), Cara (Chad), Lia (Dustin), Ryan, Meagan (Dave) and Joel. She also took great joy in spending time with her ten great-grandchildren, Una, Evia, Yianni, Stella, Eleni, Bennett, John, Jacob, Rosalie and Julia. Jean is predeceased by her parents Melvin and Thelma (Thorson) Nixon; and her siblings Merlin (Red), Evelyn, Robert, Donna and William.  

The family would like to thank the staff of the Sunnyside Unit at the Brentwood Care Centre in Calgary for their care and compassion while Jean was a resident.

A Celebration of Jean’s Life will be announced at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Jean’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Administrative Office, 10531 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton AB T5H 4K1.  Tel: (1-866) 950-5465, www.alzheimer.ab.ca or a charity of your choice.

In living memory of Jean McNichol, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.