PITTSFIELD- STURBRIDGE-WORCESTER - Mary Barbara (Williams) Nichols, 46, formerly of Sturbridge, MA, died Tuesday, March 13th at Baystate Medical Center from complications after a severe heart attack.
Mary leaves behind her most wonderful husband, James Nichols Jr. of Pittsfield, her mother and father, Christine and Barry Williams of Sturbridge; sister Becky, her husband Kelly, their children Julia and Olivia of Concord, NH; her brother Michael, his wife Francey, their children Sophia, Sam and Simone of Niceville, FL; her sister Jennifer Johnson, her husband Jason Johnson of York, ME; her uncle Christopher Williams, his wife Diana, their son Thomas of Ashley Falls; her Auntie Barbara and Uncle Rit; her Uncle Frank; and many loving cousins. Mary also came to know and love Jim’s parents, James Sr. and Sunny Nichols of South Carolina, and their family. She also leaves behind her adoring dog, Lulu. Finally, Mary leaves her beloved Sox to another hopeful spring.
Mary was born March 4th, 1966 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital, Bethesda, MD. She was raised in Housatonic and then Sturbridge and graduated in 1984 from Tantasqua Regional High School. After graduation Mary lived most of her adult life in the Worcester area and worked with very ill children in different settings throughout the city. After her 2004 graduation from Quinsigamond Community College with her nursing degree, Mary continued to work with troubled children in the area before marrying and moving to Pittsfield.
Mary and Jim, junior high sweethearts and friends, were re-introduced again just two years ago and were married in November of 2011 in Sturbridge. With her soul-mate and her dream job at the Hillcrest Education Center in Great Barrington, Mary could not have been happier.
Mary was most loved and cherished not only by her family but by many friends and the kids she always helped. Strong, forthright, honest, and quick-witted only scratch the surface of what made Mary special. She had a big heart and was easy to love and always seemed to know what people needed. You knew Mary loved you not because of some outward sign but because of an internal connection and how you felt around her. Her wry, intelligent humor could always make you smile and laugh out loud. Her smiles with Jim and the twinkle in her eyes will never be forgotten.
Calling hours will take place on Sunday, March 18th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM in the Belanger Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St, Southbridge. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM, Monday, March 19, in St. Anne’s Church, Church St. off of RT. 20 in the Fiskdale section of Sturbridge. Burial will follow in St. Anne’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to continue Mary’s service by requesting donations to Hillcrest Educational Center in Lennox, ATT: Sheila Mason, Director of Development, Hillcrest Educational Centers, 788 South St. Pittsfield, MA. 01201, or online at http://www.hillcrestec.org
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