Obituary
Diane (Di) Nichols died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on April 9, 2024 in Palm City, Florida at the age of 91.
Di is survived by her husband Edward; children Tracey (Rick Pollock) of Punta Gorda, FL; Edward (Carolyn) of Taunton, MA; and Phillip of Carver, MA; and her sister Donna (Rick LaFrance) of Orange, MA, as well as grandchildren Ashley Nichols (Andres Diossa), Spencer Nichols, Steven Angelos (Elizabeth) and Thomas Nichols; great grandchildren Easton & Livia Nichols and Charlotte Angelos; and nieces and nephews Ross Nichols (Cindy); Trent (Sue) Nichols; Becky (Paul) Duppler & Josh LaFrance.
Di was born on November 23, 1932 in Sommerville, MA to George and Laura (Davidson) Davidson. They soon moved to the country, Concord, MA. She attended Concord High School and then joined the Air Force, serving at Offut Airforce base in Nebraska as an electronics expert during the Korean War. After her service, she attended Northeastern University, where she met and married her college sweetheart, Edward Nichols in 1958. Diane left college to raise her children. After the birth of their daughter, Tracey, the couple moved to Easton, MA, where they welcomed two sons, Edward and Phillip. Her children remember her as a mother who was always there to help with homework or with a change of socks and mittens for winter sledding. She was a great crafter and seamstress, and her children remember making Christmas ornaments, cutting pine boughs for wreaths, and constructing projects for school with their mom. She loved nature and enjoyed teaching the kids about plants, animals, and birds, especially at their summer home in Limerick, Maine on Little Lake Arrowhead, where the family spent weekends every summer.
Diane went back to school part time in 1969, working towards a degree in Information Systems at Northeastern University which she received in 1981. She worked for Garland Manufacturing, Howard Johnson’s and finally Fidelity Investments in Boston, until she retired in 1993. After retirement, she and Ed moved to Florida, first to the Beachcomber in Jupiter, then to Crystal Point in Palm Beach Gardens and later to Sandhill Cove in Palm City. She loved Florida and was happy to leave behind the cold winters of New England.
After retirement, Di became an avid quilter and created a quilt for each of her children and grandchildren. She volunteered at Mounts Botanical Gardens in West Palm Beach and became a Master Gardener, answering questions for local gardeners. She collected both Orchids and Bromeliads at her home in Palm Beach Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Scholarship Fund at Sandhill Cove Foundation, 1500 SW Capri Street, Palm City FL 34990. The family would like to thank Paola and Mary of Home Instead and the Treasure Coast Hospice staff for their care. The interment will be at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, MA with a private service for family and invited guests.