Barbara H. Nichols passed into the presence of her Savior on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at the age of 90. She and her husband, Edward, were married for 64 years. She was a mother of three children, grandmother of six and great grandmother of four.
Barbara was born in Holden, MA and lived there until she went away to Boston University where she earned a BS degree in Physical Therapy in 1954. Her first job was at a hospital in Charlottesville, VA and it was there that she met Ed, a student at UVA. They married in June 1958. Edward and Barbara also lived in Lombard, IL for several years before they settled in Riverside, CT in 1967 where they lived for 49 years.
While raising her three children, Barbara also “raised” a large vegetable garden and was active in church and school events.She hosted a neighborhood Bible Study in her home where she shared her faith in Jesus and encouraged other young families. Her family fondly remembers the delicious anadama bread she made regularly. Every year Ed and Barbara hosted a Christmas open house for the neighborhood and beyond. Many came annually to enjoy another taste of Barbara’s homemade eggnog and famous rum balls!
Once her children were in middle / high school, Barbara resumed her physical therapy career with a job in a long term care facility. She also branched out to at -home care, visiting people in their homes and helping them to remain independent. She enjoyed the time in their homes, getting to know the family and ensuring the home was a safe physical environment for each patient.
Barbara and Ed took several sailing trips in the British Virgin Islands. While she was not 100% comfortable, she always joined in - from meal preparation in the galley, to casting off, to manning the helm, and many other tasks while underway.
Looking through her well -used Bible, one notes many underlined verses that comforted her through the years. One of her favorites was Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Barbara is survived by her husband Edward, her older brother Bradford Hawley, her children Brent (Beate), Valerie (Tim), and Dale (Jennifer) and grandchildren: Ryan (Emily), Colin (Sarah), Jacob (Rebecca), Faye, Saffron and Nola. Great grandchildren include: Oliver, Cora, Hollis and Aaliyah.
Per the family’s wishes, no services are planned.
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