MARIE G. NICHOLAS

 Marie Genevieve (Heurich) Nicholas passed to be with her Heavenly Father Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. Marie was born on Jan. 6, 1923 in Coloma, MI to Rose Lena (Schaub) and William Victor Heurich.

 Marie grew up on farms in Covert, MI with her 2 brothers and 3 sisters (William, Monica, Eva, Lawrence and Gertrude). She joined the Navy Waves in 1943 and married Harold Nicholas (Navy) at Navy Pier in Chicago, IL in 1944. While serving as a Yoeman clerk typist during WWII she actually marched in front of Eleanor Roosevelt. Harold and Marie had four children: Peter (L.A.), Michael (deceased), Anne (Daniel) Pinkerton (Manistee, MI) and Jean Smith (Coloma, MI).

 Marie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and son Michael. She is survived by her three children, six grandchildren, over 20 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

 When Marie and her children moved to St Joseph, MI in the 60s, she started working for several state and local civil employers until her retirement.

 Marie joined the Catholic Third Order of Franciscans like her mother and was a lifelong member of the Kalamazoo Catholic Diocese.

 Marie volunteered for years fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, driving seniors to appointments, tutoring students, and teaching ESL English to Spanish-speaking adults. She enjoyed gardening and loved to share both flowers and seeds to others. Marie fought against racial inequality throughout her life.

 When asked how she managed to survive to 100, she always joked that “only the good die young.”

 Her family remembers her best for her love, strength, support and sense of humor.

 There will be a mass for her on Monday, September 22 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Bangor, Michigan.