Sharon Nichols

Although life presented her more than her fair share of challenges, Sharon faced every situation with strength, courage, and unwavering faith. She was an outstanding role model to everyone blessed enough to have known her, from her students to her precious daughters to those in her community. Sharon was a loyal mother who met the many challenges of being a single parent, raising a special needs child, and working full time, selfless in every way. She fully committed herself to whatever task she undertook while creating priceless memories with her friends and loved ones.

The early 1940’s were defined by WWII. In the midst of tough times, Emil and Emily Grachal, a young couple welcomed with great joy a healthy baby girl on October 2, 1943. Sharon Emily was raised in the family home in Detroit with her sister, Patricia, who was four years her junior. Her father worked in tool and die while her mother was a homemaker and later worked in jewelry sales.

From the time she was born, Sharon was ready to change the world. She graced her family with her beautiful singing voice while standing on a chair, pretending that she was on stage. She loved ice skating and playing with her favorite doll, Mary. Summers were spent visiting relatives in Crystal Falls, Michigan, and she adored the several Chihuahuas, a lively part of their family. Sharon also loved birds, including parakeet, Dickie. She babysat for a neighborhood boy, Michael, who called her “Sherner”, a nickname that stuck once her daughter, Monique, heard of it years later.

Sharon attended Nativity of our Lord Parochial School in Detroit. She played violin in the high school orchestra, enjoyed hanging out with friends, going to dances, and loved fashion. She joined many school clubs, including Future Teachers of America. She was socially active, and male suitors were greeted by the family dogs while waiting for Sharon who was notoriously late! Sharon worked in bookkeeping at Nativity to help pay for her tuition. She was the Vice President of her Senior Class, and graduated with honors in 1961. During junior college, Sharon worked as a phlebotomist at Grace Hospital. She saved her earnings to purchase her first car, a red and white ’56 Chevy. How she loved that car! She went on to earn an Associate’s Degree from Macomb Community College, and a Bachelor of Science and Master's Degree from Michigan State University.

Life forever changed when Sharon met Don Nichols at a polka bar while out with her mother. They were married on August 5, 1967, in a full mass at Nativity of Our Lord in Detroit followed by a truly memorable grand reception, despite scrambling for someone to make their wedding cake after theirs was destroyed in a fire as a result of the riots. Sharon and Don were thrilled with the birth of their first daughter, Monique, in 1971 and again with their second daughter, Erica, in 1973. They divorced when their daughters were in elementary school, and Sharon was the calm, stable constant that her girls so desperately needed.

Sharon’s girls describe her as the best mother anyone could ever hope for. She was no-nonsense in her parenting style and loved her girls deeply. She was involved in all aspects of her girls’ lives, including the milestones of shopping for prom dresses, attending college graduations, finding the perfect wedding dress, and witnessing her own daughter become a mother. Sharon was a loving and proud grandmother. Nothing gave her more joy than spending time with her granddaughters, Emily and Audrey. When her parents moved from Detroit to Kalamazoo in the early 90's, Sharon was a kind, patient, and dedicated daughter, remodeling her home to allow her mother to comfortably live with her until she passed away in the spring of 2009.

An outstanding teacher, Sharon began her 42 year career in elementary education in the St. Clair Shores Public Schools when she was 21. Four years later, she and Don moved to Kalamazoo and began teaching in the Portage Public Schools at Lake Center and Angling Road Elementary, where she remained until retirement in June, 2008. She was extremely devoted and was continuously going the extra mile for her students. She shared her love of animals with her students with class pets, including bunnies. Sharon was well-loved by her students and co-workers alike.

Sharon’s life journey was enriched in multiple ways. She loved traveling. She visited her sister in California; the Bahamas and New York City; Mexico with Monique; and repeatedly soaked up the Florida sun with friends and family. She traveled with longtime friend, Bert, to destinations including Hawaii, St. Kitts, New Orleans, Maine, and many more.

Christmas was Sharon’s absolute favorite time of the year, and her home was always beautifully covered with warm, inviting decorations. Sharon loved working in her flower gardens. She enjoyed cooking, golfing, antiquing, stained glass, and boating. She also loved reading, crocheting, and collecting vintage items. Best of all, she always provided generous hospitality to all who visited her lake home. Sharon had numerous pets including her canine companion, Edward, who was with her until she drew her last breath.

She enjoyed the tradition of the Catholic Mass at St. Catherine’s or St. Monica’s, and taught Sunday school when her girls were elementary age. She especially loved attending midnight Mass. Sharon also attended services at Northpoint Church with Monique’s family as well as the Pathfinder Church with her friend, Pat.

Sharon handled every situation calmly and courageously. Her financially savvy spirit and intelligence were evident, and she displayed her great taste through her creativity, sophistication, and class. Sharon was kind, loving and humble.

Sharon taught us so much about what it means to live a life of courage while selflessly loving others. We will remember the way she always had music playing, her appreciation for music, her ability to keep the best secrets; but her unconditional love will be her lasting legacy. Sharon listened more than she spoke and believed faith could anchor us in any storm - a truly extraordinary woman to know and love. Her generosity, adventurous spirit, and nurturing heart will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Sharon will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Sharon Nichols died on January 7, 2013. Sharon’s family includes her daughters, Monique (Mike) MacQueen and Erica Nichols; granddaughters: Emily and Audrey MacQueen; sister, Patricia Ann Grachal-Davis; and nieces and nephew: Carrie Ann (Paul) Perry, Kevin A. Davis, and Lauren Emily Davis. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents. Learn more about Sharon, view her Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with her family and friends on Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Dr., 375-2900. Services will be held Friday 5:00 p.m. at Pathfinders Church (8740 S. Westnedge Ave). Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory. Memorial donations may be directed to Multiple System Atrophy Research Fund or Lennox Gastaut Syndrome Foundation.