GRACE M. NICHOLS – Age 82, lifelong resident of Batavia, passed away peacefully Tuesday September 24, 2013 at home under the care of Hospice, surrounded by her loving children, after a long, courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was born December 26, 1930 in Batavia to the late William A. and Gertrude M. (Perry) Torcello, Grace married Peter N. Nichols on June 30, 1951 and enjoyed 28 years together until his passing in 1980, also preceded in death by sisters, Mary D. (Torcello) Vallese, Marguerite J. (Torcello) Yerger; brothers, Ralph L., William M. and Michael A. Torcello.
As a teenager, she worked at Kresgies Dept. Store. She was a homemaker after her children were born until they were teenagers. She then learned dog grooming and was the proprietor of La Petite Poodle Salon until her husband's passing, then went to work for Kodak, Mallory Timers and eventually retiring from Chapin's Manufacturing in 1997.
Grace was a fun-loving, outgoing person who had a positive effect on everyone she met. She lived life to the fullest and if anything tried to get in her way, she would simply say, "Whatever". She bowled for over 40 years on the Thursday night B league at Mancuso's and golfed on the Tuesday night ladies league at Terry Hills.
She loved to travel, especially to Las Vegas to visit her brother, sister and dear friend, Paul Tomaszewski. She went on many bus trips and cruises with the "girls". After the news of her cancer, she persevered, enjoyed Monday Bingo at McDonalds and going to the Casino. She enjoyed word search puzzles, her bird feeder, the Buffalo Bills, cooking, Food Network and always loved her "sweets".
She lived for her children and grandchildren, supporting them in all their endeavors. She was a cub scout den mother and was affectionately known as "Ma Troll" as she loved to go to her sons band engagements, she would be the first one on the dance floor.
Grace is survived by her children, Calvin (Amy Michalak) Nichols, Guy (Rebecca Fuller) Nichols all of Batavia and Pamela (John) Starowitz of Elba, former daughter-in-law, Roxanne Nichols of Warsaw; grandchildren, Nathan (Christi) Nichols, Cody Nichols, Cory Nichols all of Warsaw, Joshua Secondo, Jake Nichols, Cali Nichols all of Batavia, Sean and Matthew Starowitz both of Elba, Devon Marie Nichols of Batavia and great-granddaughter, Alyvia Fetzer of Warsaw; sister, Rose Marie Torcello-Sharp (Darrel) Canfield, brother, Arthur J. Torcello all of Las Vegas, NV; sisters-in-law, Virginia Johnson and Virginia Bray both of Batavia along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Family and friends may visit from 4-8 PM Sunday September 29, 2013 at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020, where prayers will be recited 9:00 AM Monday September 30 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 AM at Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph's Site). Burial will be alongside her husband in St. Joseph's Cemetery, in lieu of flowers memorials may be in the form of mass offerings or to Homecare & Hospice 550 East Main Street Batavia, New York 14020 or a charity of the donor's choice.
Please share your memories of Grace, with her family at www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information call Michael at (585)343-7500.
THE FAMILY OF GRACE M. NICHOLS IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.
