Early Monday evening, Oct. 9, 2006, Elinor Poley Nicholson, 87, peacefully made her trip home to her Father in Heaven. Her daughter, Mary Nicholson, a nurse from Eugene, Ore., was with Mrs. Nicholson at her passing, at Warm Beach Health Care Center. Mrs. Nicholsons death also was attended by her loving husband of 61 years, the Rev. Lynn Sumner Nicholson, who lives at Warm Beach Health Care Center.
Mrs. Nicholson was born at home near Collegeville, Penn., on Jan. 11, 1919, the daughter of J. Warren Sr. and Carrie Poley.
She studied education at Messiah College in Pennsylvania and Los Angeles Pacific College (later known as Azuza Pacific College). She and Lynn Nicholson were married on Aug. 12, 1945. Soon after their marriage, the young couple was dispatched by the Brethren in Christ Church to the Navajo Nation as teachers and missionaries. Their work among the Navajos was just the beginning of a lifetime of pastorates and other church work, mostly in the Southwest and California. Through the many moves they made, Mrs. Nicholson always provided a secure and supportive home for their growing family.
A very gentle woman, Mrs. Nicholson was a devout Christian, remembered by her children for her early morning and evening prayers and Bible reading. She was renowned for her culinary skills, particularly her delicious pies, bread and other baked goods. The Nicholsons moved to Warm Beach 13 years ago. Mrs. Nicholson served as a volunteer worker at Cedar Court and Warm Beach Health Care Center for several years; mending clothes, serving meals and escorting residents to church services. She moved into Cedar Court in March and lived there until her hospitalization in September.
In addition to her husband and daughter, Mary, Mrs. Nicholson is survived by a son, Lynn Stephen (Sandy) Nicholson, of Nampa, Idaho; daughters, Elinor Ruth Nicholson, of Marysville, Wash., Rachel Hope Nicholson and husband, Allan Hutt, of Canonsburg, Penn. and Esther Joy Nicholson (Peyton) Kane, of Anacortes, Wash.; grandchildren, Elizabeth Nicholson, Emma (Steve) Barkman and Elsa (Joe) Miller, all of Nampa, David Kane, of New York City, Rebecca Kane, of Everett, Sarah Kane, of Everett, Katie (Justin) Grimm, of Seattle, Wash., Amy Kane, of Anacortes, Wash., Brigid Austin, of Albany, Ore., USAF 2nd Lt. Marie Nicholson-Hutt, stationed in Tucson, Arizona and Anna Nicholson-Hutt, a student in Toronto, Canada; and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Nicholson also leaves behind sisters, Katherine Tyson and Iva Stevenson; sister-in-law, Dorothy Benson; and brother Ken (Betty) Poley; numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Plans for a memorial service are pending. Mrs. Nicholson will be interred at the Anderson Cemetery in Stanwood, Wash. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral home, Stanwood.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Skagit Hospice.