Gladys Tewksbury Nicoll died October 15, 2013 at Pleasant Valley Nursing Home after a long period of declining health at the age of 96.
She was born October 10th, 1917 to Alma & Herbert Tewksbury in Derry, NH. She attended school in Derry and graduated from Pinkerton Academy in 1934. She retained a life long association with the academy serving as a class correspondent up until her death and was thrilled when she was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2006.
After high school she attended the Bouve-Boston School of Physical Education and received a teaching certificate in 1937. She taught physical education at an all-girls school in New Jersey until 1941, commuting back & forth to NH on week-ends for the last year after getting married. She later taught physical education at Manchester West & Central high schools. After her children reached school age she returned to teaching 3rd & 4th grade in Chester, Derry & Salem elementary schools until retiring in 1973. Even after retiring she continued teaching part time at White Pines College where she taught children’s literature & then at local schools as a docent for the NH Forest Society where she shared her love of nature with a whole new generation.
Gladys married Robert Nicoll in 1940 and they moved to Chester in 1941 where they raised two sons and a daughter. Above all else Gladys loved her family and her town. She served her community in many capacities. When the children were young she served as cub scout den mother, 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher, superintendent & youth leader. In later years she organized the Golden Stepper fitness program and was a founding member of the Chester Senior Citizens. She mentored many scouts when they were striving to earn their eagle scout badge. She was instrumental in planting trees & shrubs throughout the town & was affectionately known as the tree lady by many. One of her proudest achievements was in establishing the Chester Natural Area. She left her mark throughout the community.
She was pre-deceased by her husband of 61 years Robert T Nicoll II, her son Douglas Nicoll, & her sister Dorothy Staples. She is survived by her son Robert T Nicoll III & his wife Marcia, her daughter Cynthia Tunberg & her husband Stephen, her granddaughter Lisa Oleson & her husband Michael , her granddaughter Charlene Kalinowski & her husband Duane, her grandson Brian Nicoll & his wife Jess & her granddaughter Candace Tierney & her husband Michael. She also leaves 7 great grandchildren: Melissa Oleson & her husband William Fletcher, Timothy Oleson , Elizabeth, Stephanie, Michael & Benjamin Kalinowski & Andrew Tierney as well as a nephew Jon Staples & his wife Bettye & a niece Shirley Carswell.
There will be no visiting hours but a Celebration of Life service was held at the Chester Congregational Baptist Church on Sunday, October 20th at 2 o’clock followed by a reception in the vestry. The committal service will be held at a later date for the family. In lieu of flowers Gladys requested donations be made to either the Chester Congregational Baptist Church, PO Box 306, Chester, NH 03036 or the Chester Volunteer Firefighters Association, Inc., 27 Murphy Drive, Chester, NH 03036.