Beloved daughter, big sister, aunt, and cousin, Anne Rita Nichols died Dec. 1, 2020 in Asheville, N.C. She was preceded in death by her parents George W. Nichols and Lola Frazier Nichols, younger brother George ‘Nicky’ Nichols, nephew Robert “Bobby” Nichols and niece Tracy Nichols.
Anne was born in New York City on Feb. 25, 1938. She lived in the Forest Hills neighborhood for most of her childhood before the family moved back to her father’s hometown of New London, N.H. After graduating from New London High School in 1955 she worked for the Kearsarge Telephone Company as an operator.
Anne moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in 1958. She said it was to follow the Dodgers when they left Brooklyn and she continued to be a fan. She worked in the insurance industry throughout her time in L.A., building a wide circle of friends and acquaintances through her work and memberships in several professional organizations.
Once she retired she wanted to move to a more quiet area with a slower pace and settled on Asheville. There she joined the Old Buncombe Genealogical Society and was working to flesh out the histories of both sides of her family. In this she was helped by the Kelsey Kindred and collaboration with her cousin Sharon Roby, another enthusiast. Anne was also a member of the Friends of Pack Memorial Public Library and liaised between the two groups when their interests overlapped.
Anne was the one who kept the family history, never forgetting a birthday or an anniversary. For all of her 82 years she was a constant, warm presence and was the twine that bound our scattered family together. She was a genius at maintaining friendships over many years and, in her quiet way, helped many people without ever expecting recognition or praise.
She was also fun. She had a wicked love of puns, books, crosswords, family lore, and puzzles. She enjoyed travel, was a cutthroat pinochle player and well into her 70s continued to go to the gym regularly and participate in 5K races for charity.
She will be greatly missed by all of us, particularly we of her generation including Sharon Wright Roby of Mantague, N.J., China O’Toole Petersen and husband David of Austin, Texas, Hayden Wright and wife Pat of Las Vegas, Nev., Jozi Nichols of Santa Ana, Calif., and Taj O’Toole Valenzuela and husband Matt of Moorpark, Calif.
A memorial service will be held when it’s possible to do so safely.
