Obituary of Annie Nichols

Annie Nichols

February 21, 1927 – September 16, 2021

Nicholsville, NL

It is with the utmost sadness that we announce the death of Annie Nichols (Barrett) of Nicholsville at the age of 94.

Annie was born in Gaff Topsail on February 21, 1927, to William and Mabel Barrett. Annie was the seventh of thirteen children. Annie was predeceased by her husband Ches, her son Ken, her brothers Laud, Albert, Jack and William, her sisters Louise, Sue, Vie, Jean, Edith and Dot, and her grandson Dion. She is survived by her brother Freeman, sister Rose, children Max, Bob, Doreen, Gordie, Pauline, Michael, Rex, grandchildren Vincent, Denise, Ken, Stephen, Amy, Julia, William, Johnny, Leah, Shellsea as well as great children.

Annie frequently talked of riding the railway speeder with her father who was section foreman for the Newfoundland railway, to go to the berry picking grounds when they lived in Gaff Topsail and later Hawley. She really delighted in riding the speeder.

After finishing Grade 11, Annie went to St. John's for a summer of teacher training. Upon completion she took a job teaching in Pynns Brook and then in Nicholsville where she met her future husband Chesley Nichols. They settled into the house Ches had built alongside the Humber River and started their family, which would eventually total out to eight children.

With Ches away for long stretches of time at work Annie was frequently left on her own to raise the children, care for an ailing father-in-law, and look after the house and garden, which included making hay and for the first few years hauling water by hand.

Annie was very proud of having a clean and welcoming home. Despite having limited funds and a houseful of her own children, Annie always welcomed other children in as well. They all knew if they were cold or wet they could find warmth and a snack at Aunt Annie's, or Nan's as the case might be. Some of that warmth came from the wood stove or furnace but most came from her heart.

Despite several instances of severe grief Annie managed, with her faith in God and personal strength, to keep true to herself and maintained her ability to see beauty and joy in the world, with her children and grand children. She kept her sense of humour and we were all subject to her good natured ribbing, sometimes a literal tickle to the ribs.

As a mother, Annie knew when to coddle us and when to let us go. As her children grew she gave us the freedom to make our own choices, feeling she raised us as best she could to make the right decisions, but making sure we all knew she was there if we needed her.

As a friend and a staunch believer in God, Annie never said a bad word against anyone. Many people have commented what a genuine, sweet, loving and dignified woman Annie was. We just called her mom.

Friends may visit Fillatre’s Funeral Home, 10 Clinic Drive, Deer Lake on Saturday 7-9 p.m. and Sunday 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will take place on Monday, September 20 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Michaels’ and All Angels Anglican Church with Rev. Canon Jeffrey Petten officiating.  All Covid-19 Government Regulations will be followed, face masks and social distancing required. Interment to follow at the George Aaron Nichols Sr. Memorial Cemetery, Nicholsville. As expressions of sympathy flowers graciously accepted or donations may be made to St. Michael’s Anglican Church Building Fund or George Aaron Nichols Sr. Memorial Cemetery Fund.

The funeral service will be live streamed through Fillatre Funeral Homes Ltd. Facebook page.