Friday September 23, 2011

I am hurting so, I can't believe how much. I cry all the time. I miss him so much, and cannot fathom the fact that I will not see him or hear his voice again. I taped his outgoing message from his cell phone before it was cut off. It was 3 months of him just whispering. I missed his voice the way it was. Today I was organizing photos in my cell phone and found video of him from last fall when he was here visiting for his bi-annual visit. He was cutting the cats nails. Something I could never do, and looked forward to him taking care of yet another chore he always so willing to do to help us out. Gardening, that too was his thing. I always felt guilty when he would come to visit and then want to do things around the house. In the beginning it made me feel like we weren't doing a good job keeping up with things. But I realized later on that it was his way of helping us. He knew how hard it was, he had done it himself, with no help from any parent. He knew the pressures and how important it is to spend time with your children. He did it himself. I have so many memories of him taking us to Half Moon Bay, Fairyland, the zoo or just to Montclair park to feed the ducks and play in Western Town.

I don't remember feeling this devistated when Peter died. Probably because I had to everything for my parents. They were a mess. I cannot imagine the immense pain of loosing a child. It must be the most gut wrenching sense of pain imaginable. Maybe I'm having PTSS from Peter too. My Dad always told me he felt I never grieved over Peter. Maybe he was right.

Stephen Lawrence Nichols

Stephen Lawrence Nichols
July 15th 1934 – August 29th 2011

Stephen Lawrence Nichols peacefully passed away at his home Monday August 29th after losing his six year battle with cancer. Stephen had just
celebrated his 77th birthday; he was a resident of Twain Harte, California
for the past 11 years.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Helen Fergus Nichols and Lawrence Lewis
Nichols, both deceased. Stephen lived his early years in Troy, Ohio. His
family moved to Pasadena, California, then to Winnetka, Illinois before
graduating from New Trier Township High School in 1952. He continued his
education at Colgate University where he was a member of the tennis team
and Phi Gamma Delta. Upon graduation in 1956 Stephen entered the United
States Navy as an officer. After serving his country Stephen started his career in retail, working first with Montgomery Ward and Company and then Mervyn’s Department Stores. He was in retail for over 20 years before changing careers to property management and commercial real estate. Stephen worked primarily in the Silicon Valley with Blackhawk Real Estate and Coldwell Banker- CB Richard Ellis. While working full time in Real Estate, Stephen continued his education at Santa Clara University, graduating in 1996 with a Masters in Counseling
Psychology.

In 2000 Stephen and his wife Mikell made the move from the San Francisco
Bay Area to Twain Harte, California to retire and build a new home.
Stephen was active in the community serving on the board of the Twain Harte Homeowners Association. Also, he was involved in the community projects of the Skate Board Park, the planning of a Bocce Ball court, and the brick memorial at the tennis courts.

Stephen’s favorite community project was organizing Twain Harte’s “Litter
Patrol”. He was known as “Captain Litter”. One could see him frequently
around town and along Twain Harte Drive picking up litter. This project is
now being carried on by his friends and is an integral part of the
Homeowners Association.

Stephen had a lifelong love of sports, starting with Tennis in College and changing to running in the mid 1970’s when he could no longer play tennis due to tennis elbow. His greatest accomplishments were his marathons. In 1976 he went to Boston to complete the Boston Marathon. In 1977 he completed the Avenue of the Giants Marathon with his son Peter. Stephen considered himself an athlete, even at the end. He would work very hard to keep himself in shape by water aerobics, gym workouts and walking as often as he could.

Stephen was very active as a patron and fundraiser for Sierra Repertory
Theater as a season ticket holder. He was always very excited to raise
funds and donate to the theater.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Mikell Kelly, also his sister, Cynthia
Nichols Russell of Traverse City, Michigan. Children, daughter, Susan
Nichols Stebal (John) of Willowick, Ohio, son, Peter (preceded in death in
1988), Stacey Larson (Bill) of Davis California, Eanna Sarah of Tuolomne,
California, Doug Johnson of Pacifica, California. He also leaves beloved
grandchildren, J.P, Anna-Lesia, Julia, Amanda and Mercedes.

There will be a private graveside service for family members in Troy Ohio,
to follow. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory
to Hospice of the Sierra, Sierra Repertory Theater (SRT) or The American Cancer Society.